Size of Subcortical Band Heterotopia Influences the Susceptibility to Hyperthermia-Induced Seizures in a Rat Model.

Kalliopi Moustaki,Robert Martinez,Jean-Bernard Manent,Françoise Watrin,Emmanuelle Buhler,Alfonso Represa

doi:10.3389/fncel.2019.00473

Abstract

Studies conducted in human and rodent models have suggested that preexisting neurodevelopmental defects could predispose immature brains to febrile seizures (FS). However, the impact of the anatomical extent of preexisting cortical malformations on FS susceptibility was never assessed. Here, we induced hyperthermic seizures (HS) in rats with bilateral subcortical band heterotopia (SBH) and found variable degrees of HS susceptibility depending on inter-individual anatomical differences in size and extent of SBH. This indicates that an association exists between the overall extent or location of a cortical malformation, and the predisposition to FS. This also suggests that various predisposing factors and underlying causes may contribute to the etiology of complex FS.

Highlights

Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common seizure disorder in childhood, affecting 2–5% of children (Nelson and Ellenberg, 1978; Berg et al, 1992)
We found that the plateau temperature in Dcx-KD rats [8.465 ± 0.353, 95% confidence interval (CI): (7.847–9.324)] was lower than in mismatch controls [9.142 ± 0.275, 95% CI: (8.639–9.784)], and the half-life, shorter
We report that when rats with bilateral subcortical band heterotopia (SBH) are subjected to hyperthermia, seizures are elicited with a lower plateau temperature and a shorter half-life compared to mismatch controls with no malformation

Summary

Introduction

Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common seizure disorder in childhood, affecting 2–5% of children (Nelson and Ellenberg, 1978; Berg et al, 1992). It has long been known that children with a history of ante- and perinatal genetic or acquired injuries are more likely to develop FS, suggesting that preexisting developmental defects could predispose immature brains to FS, neuroradiological evidences were initially lacking (Berg and Shinnar, 1996; Wallace, 1972). These evidences were later obtained, revealing a high incidence of MRI-detected brain abnormalities in patient cohorts with both simple and complex FS (Hesdorffer et al, 2008). Various incidences of FS were described in patient cohorts or case reports for other types of MCDs, such as periventricular nodular

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Conclusion