Animal Models of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with the incidence of post-traumatic epilepsy increasing with the severity of the head injury. Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is defined as a recurrent seizure disorder secondary to trauma to the brain and has been described as one of the most devastating complications associated with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). The goal of this review is to characterize current animal models of PTE and provide succinct protocols for the development of each of the currently available animal models. The development of translational and effective animal models for post-traumatic epilepsy is critical in both elucidating the underlying pathophysiology associated with PTE and providing efficacious clinical breakthroughs in the management of PTE.

Modeling of post-traumatic epilepsy and experimental research aimed at its prevention

“…The lateral FPI model is the most utilized mechanical model to study PTE. By using a closed hydraulic system, a precise pressure pulse is delivered distinctly in the animal dura mater, according to the intended injury severity ( 18 ). In this model, a single event of lateral FPI is sufficient to induce chronic spontaneous recurrent partial seizures that worsen over time ( 19 ).…”

“…During the 1990s, the model was adapted to be used in other animals like rats, mice, and primates. This model consists of a brain injury produced by a pneumatic or electromagnetic impact that compresses the exposed brain and results in brain injury with varying severity ( 18 ). Similar to FPI this model was created as a model of TBI and adapted for studying PTE.…”

“…As in the case of FPI, scarce late spontaneous seizures or epilepsy have been reported in rat CCI models ( 18 , 22 ). Despite the low frequency of spontaneous seizures, the model also leads to an increase in seizure susceptibility when challenged with other agents ( 23 ).…”

“…The impact-acceleration model produces mild-to-moderate convulsions during its acute phase and may also cause late convulsions lasting up to 15 weeks post-injury. Although the model demonstrated an increase in susceptibility to pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-evoked seizures, it fails to adequately recapitulate PTE because, without using a high intensity impact that frequently promotes great mortality, it does not promote spontaneous seizures ( 18 ). On the other hand, this model presents the advantages of simplicity of the method, successfully inducing a reproducible lesion and consistently increasing susceptibility to PTZ-induced seizures.…”

Animal Models for Studying Stone Disease

“…In Taiwan, an early report of stone disease has been achieved not only in humans, but also in monkeys ( Macaca cyclopis ) [ 2 ]. Stone disease is a universal phenomenon throughout the animal kingdoms; therefore, the use of animal models to study the disease may have the advantage of similar pathogeneses, and may also have benefits both for humans and animals [ 3 ]. In this review, we searched the current types of animal models used in the stone disease research literature on PubMed, in order to share with the readers.…”