Antidepressant and anticonvulsant effects of exercise in a rat model of epilepsy and depression comorbidity

Abstract

The bi-directional comorbidity between epilepsy and depression is associated with severe challenges for treatment efficacy and safety, often resulting in poor prognosis and outcome for the patient. We showed previously that rats selectively bred for depression-like behaviors (SwLo rats) also have increased limbic seizure susceptibility compared with their depression-resistant counterparts (SwHi rats). In this study, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of voluntary exercise in our animal model of epilepsy and depression comorbidity. We found that chronic wheel running significantly increased both struggling duration in the forced swim test and latency to pilocarpine-induced limbic motor seizure in SwLo rats, but not SwHi rats. The antidepressant and anticonvulsant effects of exercise were associated with an increase in galanin mRNA specifically in the locus coeruleus of SwLo rats. These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of exercise in a rodent model of epilepsy and depression comorbidity and suggest a potential role for galanin.

Effect of endurance training on seizure susceptibility, behavioral changes and neuronal damage after kainate-induced status epilepticus in spontaneously hypertensive rats

“…Moreover, the beneficial influence of aerobic training in a model of epilepsy and depression comorbidity has been recently documented (Epps et al, 2013). In the present study, we report for the first time that long-term aerobic exercise can alleviate the development of KA-induced SE, epileptogenesis and concomitant behavioral changes in hypertensive rats.…”

Effect of Training at Lactate Threshold Intensity on Maximal Time to Exhaustion, Depression and Anxiety Behaviour of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats after Kainate-Induced Status Epilepticus

“…20 The present fi ndings are in agreement with Epps et al 20 and demonstrated that the benefi cial effect of exercise program is associated with other positive outcomes, including cardiovascular, depression and impulsive behavior in a rat model of co-morbid hypertension and epilepsy. чение каинатом через месяц тренировок облегчило ангедонию, вызванную эпилепсией при SРТ и соответственно стереотипное поведение при HBT.…”

Epilepsia y actividad física: conceptos desde la perspectiva de las ciencias básicas

“…Ratas con depresión de la especie SwLo sometidas a actividad física se compararon con controles sin exposición al ejercicio. El primer grupo aminoró los síntomas negativos del ánimo y se demoró en desarrollar la epilepsia (78). Los investigadores relacionan los efectos positivos inducidos por el ejercicio con el incremento de la galanina.…”