Suppression of absence seizures by electrical and pharmacological activation of the caudal superior colliculus in a genetic model of absence epilepsy in the rat

Optogenetic stimulation of the superior colliculus suppresses genetic absence seizures

While anti-seizure medications are effective for many patients, nearly one-third of individuals have seizures that are refractory to pharmacotherapy. Prior studies using evoked preclinical seizure models have shown that pharmacological activation or excitatory optogenetic stimulation of the deep and intermediate layers of the superior colliculus (DLSC) display multi-potent anti-seizure effects. Here we monitored and modulated DLSC activity to suppress spontaneous seizures in the WAG/Rij genetic model of absence epilepsy. Female and male WAG/Rij adult rats were employed as study subjects. For electrophysiology studies, we recorded single unit activity from microwire arrays placed within the DLSC. For optogenetic experiments, animals were injected with virus coding for channelrhodopsin-2 or a control vector, and we compared the efficacy of continuous neuromodulation to that of closed-loop neuromodulation paradigms. For each, we compared three stimulation frequencies on a within-subject basis (5, 20, 100 Hz). For closed-loop stimulation, we detected seizures in real time based on the EEG power within the characteristic frequency band of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs). We quantified the number and duration of each SWD during each 2 h-observation period. Following completion of the experiment, virus expression and fibre-optic placement was confirmed. We found that single-unit activity within the DLSC decreased seconds prior to SWD onset and increased during and after seizures. Nearly 40% of neurons displayed suppression of firing in response to the start of SWDs. Continuous optogenetic stimulation of the DLSC (at each of the three frequencies) resulted in a significant reduction of SWDs in males and was without effect in females. In contrast, closed-loop neuromodulation was effective in both females and males at all three frequencies. These data demonstrate that activity within the DLSC is suppressed prior to SWD onset, increases at SWD onset, and that excitatory optogenetic stimulation of the DLSC exerts anti-seizure effects against absence seizures. The striking difference between open- and closed-loop neuromodulation approaches underscores the importance of the stimulation paradigm in determining therapeutic effects.

Optogenetic activation of the superior colliculus attenuates spontaneous seizures in the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

Decades of studies have indicated that activation of the deep and intermediate layers of the superior colliculus can suppress seizures in a wide range of experimental models of epilepsy. However, prior studies have not examined efficacy against spontaneous limbic seizures. The present study aimed to address this gap through chronic optogenetic activation of the superior colliculus in the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats underwent pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus and were maintained until the onset of spontaneous seizures. Virus coding for channelrhodopsin-2 was injected into the deep and intermediate layers of the superior colliculus, and animals were implanted with head-mounted light-emitting diodes at the same site. Rats were stimulated with either 5- or 100-Hz light delivery. Seizure number, seizure duration, 24-h seizure burden, and behavioral seizure severity were monitored.

RESULTS

Both 5- and 100-Hz optogenetic stimulation of the deep and intermediate layers of the superior colliculus reduced daily seizure number and total seizure burden in all animals in the active vector group. Stimulation did not affect either seizure duration or behavioral seizure severity. Stimulation was without effect in opsin-negative control animals.

SIGNIFICANCE

Activation of the deep and intermediate layers of the superior colliculus reduces both the number of seizures and total daily seizure burden in the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. These novel data demonstrating an effect against chronic experimental seizures complement a long history of studies documenting the antiseizure efficacy of superior colliculus activation in a range of acute seizure models.

The Superior Colliculus: Cell Types, Connectivity, and Behavior

The superior colliculus (SC), one of the most well-characterized midbrain sensorimotor structures where visual, auditory, and somatosensory information are integrated to initiate motor commands, is highly conserved across vertebrate evolution. Moreover, cell-type-specific SC neurons integrate afferent signals within local networks to generate defined output related to innate and cognitive behaviors. This review focuses on the recent progress in understanding of phenotypic diversity amongst SC neurons and their intrinsic circuits and long-projection targets. We further describe relevant neural circuits and specific cell types in relation to behavioral outputs and cognitive functions. The systematic delineation of SC organization, cell types, and neural connections is further put into context across species as these depend upon laminar architecture. Moreover, we focus on SC neural circuitry involving saccadic eye movement, and cognitive and innate behaviors. Overall, the review provides insight into SC functioning and represents a basis for further understanding of the pathology associated with SC dysfunction.

Ultrastructural GABA immunogold labeling in the substantia nigra pars reticulata of kindled genetic absence epilepsy rats

Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) is a well-known animal model of absence epilepsy and they are resistant to electrical kindling stimulations. The present study aimed to examine possible differences in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and synapse counts in the substantia nigra pars reticulata anterior (SNRa) and posterior (SNRp) regions between GAERS and Wistar rats receiving kindling stimulations. Animals in the kindling group either received six stimulations in the amygdala and had grade 2 seizures or they were kindled, having grade five seizures. Rats were decapitated one hour after the last stimulation. SNR regions were obtained after vibratome sectioning of the brain tissue. GABA immunoreactivity was detected by immunogold method and synapses were counted. Sections were observed by transmission electron microscope and analyzed by Image J program. GABA density in the SNRa region of fully kindled GAERS and Wistar groups increased significantly compared to that of their corresponding grade 2 groups. The number of synapses increased significantly in kindled and grade 2 GAERS groups, compared to kindled and grade 2 Wistar groups, respectively, in the SNRa region. GABA density in the SNRp region of kindled GAERS group increased significantly compared to that of GAERS grade 2 group. In the SNRp region, both kindled and grade 2 GAERS groups were found to have increased number of synapses compared to that of GAERS control group. We concluded that both SNRa and SNRp regions may be important in modulating resistance of GAERS to kindling stimulations.

Divergent Effects of Systemic and Intracollicular CB Receptor Activation Against Forebrain and Hindbrain-Evoked Seizures in Rats

Cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonists are of growing interest as targets for anti-seizure therapies. Here we examined the effect of systemic administration of the CB receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) against audiogenic seizures (AGSs) in the Genetically Epilepsy Prone Rat (GEPR)-3 strain, and against seizures evoked focally from the Area Tempestas (AT). We compared these results to the effect of focal administration of the CB1/2 receptor agonist CP 55940 into the deep layers of the superior colliculus (DLSC), a brain site expressing CB1 receptors. While systemic administration of WIN dose-dependently decreased AGS in GEPR-3s, it was without effect in the AT model. By contrast, intra-DLSC infusion of CP 55940 decreased seizures in both models. To determine if the effects of systemic WIN were dependent upon activation of CB1 receptors in the DSLC, we next microinjected the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716, before WIN systemic treatment, and tested animals for AGS susceptibility. The pretreatment of the DLSC with SR141716 was without effect on its own and did not alter the anti-convulsant action of WIN systemic administration. Thus, while CB receptors in the DLSC are a potential site of anticonvulsant action, they are not necessary for the effects of systemically administered CB agonists.

Descending projections from the substantia nigra pars reticulata differentially control seizures

Three decades of studies have shown that inhibition of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) attenuates seizures, yet the circuits mediating this effect remain obscure. SNpr projects to the deep and intermediate layers of the superior colliculus (DLSC) and the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), but the contributions of these projections are unknown. To address this gap, we optogenetically silenced cell bodies within SNpr, nigrotectal terminals within DLSC, and nigrotegmental terminals within PPN. Inhibition of cell bodies in SNpr suppressed generalized seizures evoked by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), partial seizures evoked from the forebrain, absence seizures evoked by gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and audiogenic seizures in genetically epilepsy-prone rats. Strikingly, these effects were fully recapitulated by silencing nigrotectal projections. By contrast, silencing nigrotegmental terminals reduced only absence seizures and exacerbated seizures evoked by PTZ. These data underscore the broad-spectrum anticonvulsant efficacy of this circuit, and demonstrate that specific efferent projection pathways differentially control different seizure types.

The role of the basal ganglia in the control of seizure

Epilepsy is a network disorder and each type of seizure involves distinct cortical and subcortical network, differently implicated in the control and propagation of the ictal activity. The role of the basal ganglia has been revealed in several cases of focal and generalized seizures. Here, we review the data that show the implication of the basal ganglia in absence, temporal lobe, and neocortical seizures in animal models (rodent, cat, and non-human primate) and in human. Based on these results and the advancement of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease, basal ganglia neuromodulation has been tested with some success that can be equally seen as promising or disappointing. The effect of deep brain stimulation can be considered promising with a 76% in seizure reduction in temporal lobe epilepsy patients, but also disappointing, since only few patients have become seizure free and the antiepileptic effects have been highly variable among patients. This variability could probably be explained by the heterogeneity among the patients included in these clinical studies. To illustrate the importance of specific network identification, electrophysiological activity of the putamen and caudate nucleus has been recorded during penicillin-induced pre-frontal and motor seizures in one monkey. While an increase of the firing rate was found in putamen and caudate nucleus during pre-frontal seizures, only the activity of the putamen cells was increased during motor seizures. These preliminary results demonstrate the implication of the basal ganglia in two types of neocortical seizures and the necessity of studying the network to identify the important nodes implicated in the propagation and control of each type of seizure.

Optogenetic activation of superior colliculus neurons suppresses seizures originating in diverse brain networks

Because sites of seizure origin may be unknown or multifocal, identifying targets from which activation can suppress seizures originating in diverse networks is essential. We evaluated the ability of optogenetic activation of the deep/intermediate layers of the superior colliculus (DLSC) to fill this role. Optogenetic activation of DLSC suppressed behavioral and electrographic seizures in the pentylenetetrazole (forebrain+brainstem seizures) and Area Tempestas (forebrain/complex partial seizures) models; this effect was specific to activation of DLSC, and not neighboring structures. DLSC activation likewise attenuated seizures evoked by gamma butyrolactone (thalamocortical/absence seizures), or acoustic stimulation of genetically epilepsy prone rates (brainstem seizures). Anticonvulsant effects were seen with stimulation frequencies as low as 5 Hz. Unlike previous applications of optogenetics for the control of seizures, activation of DLSC exerted broad-spectrum anticonvulsant actions, attenuating seizures originating in diverse and distal brain networks. These data indicate that DLSC is a promising target for optogenetic control of epilepsy.

Electric stimulation of the tuberomamillary nucleus affects epileptic activity and sleep-wake cycle in a genetic absence epilepsy model

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising approach for epilepsy treatment, but the optimal targets and parameters of stimulation are yet to be investigated. Tuberomamillary nucleus (TMN) is involved in EEG desynchronization-one of the proposed mechanisms for DBS action. We studied whether TMN stimulation could interfere with epileptic spike-wave discharges (SWDs) in WAG/Rij rats with inherited absence epilepsy and whether such stimulation would affect sleep-wake cycle. EEG and video registration were used to determine SWD occurrence and stages of sleep and wake during three-hours recording sessions. Stimulation (100Hz) was applied in two modes: closed-loop (with previously determined interruption threshold intensity) or open-loop mode (with 50% or 70% threshold intensity). Closed-loop stimulation successfully interrupted SWDs but elevated their number by 148 ± 54% compared to baseline. It was accompanied by increase in number of episodes but not total duration of both active and passive wakefulness. Open-loop stimulation with amplitude 50% threshold did not change measured parameters, though 70% threshold stimulation reduced SWDs number by 40 ± 9%, significantly raised the amount of active wakefulness and decreased the amount of both slow-wave and rapid eye movement sleep. These results suggest that the TMN is unfavorable as a target for DBS as its stimulation may cause alterations in sleep-wake cycle. A careful choosing of parameters and control of sleep-wake activity is necessary when applying DBS in epilepsy.

Bidirectional control of absence seizures by the basal ganglia: a computational evidence

Absence epilepsy is believed to be associated with the abnormal interactions between the cerebral cortex and thalamus. Besides the direct coupling, anatomical evidence indicates that the cerebral cortex and thalamus also communicate indirectly through an important intermediate bridge–basal ganglia. It has been thus postulated that the basal ganglia might play key roles in the modulation of absence seizures, but the relevant biophysical mechanisms are still not completely established. Using a biophysically based model, we demonstrate here that the typical absence seizure activities can be controlled and modulated by the direct GABAergic projections from the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) to either the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) or the specific relay nuclei (SRN) of thalamus, through different biophysical mechanisms. Under certain conditions, these two types of seizure control are observed to coexist in the same network. More importantly, due to the competition between the inhibitory SNr-TRN and SNr-SRN pathways, we find that both decreasing and increasing the activation of SNr neurons from the normal level may considerably suppress the generation of spike-and-slow wave discharges in the coexistence region. Overall, these results highlight the bidirectional functional roles of basal ganglia in controlling and modulating absence seizures, and might provide novel insights into the therapeutic treatments of this brain disorder.

Epilepsy is a general term for conditions with recurring seizures. Absence seizures are one of several kinds of seizures, which are characterized by typical 2–4 Hz spike-and-slow wave discharges (SWDs). There is accumulating evidence that absence seizures are due to abnormal interactions between cerebral cortex and thalamus, and the basal ganglia may take part in controlling such brain disease via the indirect basal ganglia-thalamic pathway relaying at superior colliculus. Actually, the basal ganglia not only send indirect signals to thalamus, but also communicate with several key nuclei of thalamus through multiple direct GABAergic projections. Nevertheless, whether and how these direct pathways regulate absence seizure activities are still remain unknown. By computational modelling, we predicted that two direct inhibitory basal ganglia-thalamic pathways emitting from the substantia nigra pars reticulata may also participate in the control of absence seizures. Furthermore, we showed that these two types of seizure control can coexist in the same network, and depending on the instant network state, both lowing and increasing the activation of SNr neurons may inhibit the SWDs due to the existence of competition. Our findings emphasize the bidirectional modulation effects of basal ganglia on absence seizures, and might have physiological implications on the treatment of absence epilepsy.

Low frequency stimulation of ventral hippocampal commissures reduces seizures in a rat model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of low frequency stimulation (LFS) of a fiber tract for the suppression of spontaneous seizures in a rat model of human temporal lobe epilepsy.

METHODS

Stimulation electrodes were implanted into the ventral hippocampal commissure (VHC) in a rat post-status epilepticus (SE) model of human temporal lobe epilepsy (n = 7). Two recording electrodes were placed in the CA3 regions bilaterally and neural data were recorded for a minimum of 6 weeks. LFS (60 min train of 1 Hz biphasic square wave pulses, each 0.1 ms in duration and 200 μA in amplitude, followed by 15 min of rest) was applied to the VHC for 2 weeks, 24 h a day.

KEY FINDINGS

The baseline mean seizure frequency of the study animals was 3.7 seizures per day. The seizures were significantly reduced by the application of LFS in every animal (n = 7). By the end of the 2-week period of stimulation, there was a significant, 90% (<1 seizure/day) reduction of seizure frequencies (p < 0.05) and a 57% reduction during the period following LFS (p < 0.05) when compared to baseline. LFS also resulted in a significant reduction of hippocampal interictal spike frequency (71%, p < 0.05), during 2 weeks of LFS session. The hippocampal histologic analysis showed no significant difference between rats that received LFS and SE induction and those that had received only SE-induction. None of the animals showed any symptomatic hemorrhage, infection, or complication.

SIGNIFICANCE

Low frequency stimulation applied at a frequency of 1 Hz significantly reduced both the excitability of the neural tissue as well as the seizure frequency in a rat model of human temporal lobe epilepsy. The results support the hypothesis that LFS of fiber tracts can be an effective method for the suppression of spontaneous seizures in a temporal lobe model of epilepsy in rats and could lead to the development of a new therapeutic modality for human patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Lack of effect of intranigral transplants of a GABAergic cell line on absence seizures

The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) is involved in controlling a variety of seizure phenomena. Intranigral transplants of GABAergic cells have been shown to decrease the severity of already established epileptic seizures, but the effects observed have been short-lived. This study evaluated the ability of intranigral transplants of GABA-producing cells to reduce spontaneous absence seizures in a genetic animal model for periods up to 3 months after transplantation. Intranigral transplants did not induce any behavioral deficits in the animals, and they did not form tumors; however, the transplants failed to decrease absence seizures in the genetic model. The assumed increase in intranigral levels of GABA after the transplants may be insufficient to counteract all the factors involved in generating the absence seizures; in this animal model, it may be necessary to further decrease nigral activity by implanting GABAergic cells in another area. These results bear down on the fact that cell transplants need to be tailored for each type of convulsive disorder in terms of the type of cells delivered and the location of the transplants.

Control of synchronization of brain dynamics leads to control of epileptic seizures in rodents

We have designed and implemented an automated, just-in-time stimulation, seizure control method using a seizure prediction method from nonlinear dynamics coupled with deep brain stimulation in the centromedial thalamic nuclei in epileptic rats. A comparison to periodic stimulation, with identical stimulation parameters, was also performed. The two schemes were compared in terms of their efficacy in control of seizures, as well as their effect on synchronization of brain dynamics. The automated just-in-time (JIT) stimulation showed reduction of seizure frequency and duration in 5 of the 6 rats, with significant reduction of seizure frequency (>50%) in 33% of the rats. This constituted a significant improvement over the efficacy of the periodic control scheme in the same animals. Actually, periodic stimulation showed an increase of seizure frequency in 50% of the rats, reduction of seizure frequency in 3 rats and significant reduction in 1 rat. Importantly, successful seizure control was highly correlated with desynchronization of brain dynamics. This study provides initial evidence for the use of closed-loop feedback control systems in epileptic seizures combining methods from seizure prediction and deep brain stimulation.

Role of the superior colliculus in the expression of acute and kindled audiogenic seizures in Wistar audiogenic rats

PURPOSE

The role of the superior colliculus (SC) in seizure expression is controversial and appears to be dependent upon the epilepsy model. This study shows the effect of disconnection between SC deep layers and adjacent tissues in the expression of acute and kindling seizures.

METHODS

Subcollicular transections, ablation of SC superficial and deep layers, and ablation of only the cerebral cortex were evaluated in the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) strain during acute and kindled audiogenic seizures. The audiogenic seizure kindling protocol started 4 days after surgeries, with two acoustic stimuli per day for 10 days. Acute audiogenic seizures were evaluated by a categorized seizure severity midbrain index (cSI) and kindled seizures by a severity limbic index (LI).

RESULTS

All subcollicular transections reaching the deep layers of the SC abolished audiogenic seizures or significantly decreased cSI. In the unlesioned kindled group, a reciprocal relationship between limbic and brainstem pattern of seizures was seen. The increased number of stimuli provoked an audiogenic kindling phenomenon. Ablation of the entire SC (ablation group) or of the cerebral cortex only (ctx-operated group) hampered the acquisition of limbic behaviors. There was no difference in cSI and LI between the ctx-operated and ablation groups, but there was a difference between ctx-operated and the unlesioned kindled group. There was also no difference in cSI between SC deep layer transection and ablation groups. Results of histologic analyses were similar for acute and kindled audiogenic seizure groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SC deep layers are involved in the expression of acute and kindled audiogenic seizure, and the cerebral cortex is essential for audiogenic kindling development.

Suppression of axonal conduction by sinusoidal stimulation in rat hippocampusin vitro

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), also known as high frequency stimulation (HFS), is a well-established therapy for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, and shows promise for the therapeutic control of epilepsy. However, the direct effect of DBS on neural elements close to the stimulating electrode remains an important unanswered question. Computational studies have suggested that HFS has a dual effect on neural elements inhibiting cell bodies, while exciting axons. Prior experiments have shown that sinusoidal HFS (50 Hz) can suppress synaptic and non-synaptic cellular activity in several in vitro epilepsy models, in all layers of the hippocampus. However, the effects of HFS on axons near the electrode are still unclear. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that HFS suppresses axonal conduction in vitro. Sinusoidal HFS was applied to the alvear axon field of transverse rat hippocampal slices. The results show that HFS suppresses the alvear compound action potential (CAP) as well as the CA1 antidromic evoked potential (AEP). Complete suppression was observed as a 100% reduction in the amplitude of the evoked field potential for the duration of the stimulus. Evoked potential width and latency were not significantly affected by sinusoidal HFS. Suppression was dependent on HFS amplitude and frequency, but independent of stimulus duration and synaptic transmission. The frequency dependence of sinusoidal HFS is similar to that observed in clinical DBS, with maximal suppression between 50 and 200 Hz. HFS produced not only suppression of axonal conduction but also a correlated rise in extracellular potassium. These data provide new insights into the effects of HFS on neuronal elements, and show that HFS can block axonal activity through non-synaptic mechanisms.

EEG wavelet analyses of the striatum–substantia nigra pars reticulata–superior colliculus circuitry: Audiogenic seizures and anticonvulsant drug administration in Wistar audiogenic rats (War strain)

The importance of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNPr), striatum (STR) and superior colicullus (SC) in the blockade of experimental seizures is well known. But, in audiogenic seizures (brainstem tonic-clonic seizures), the anticonvulsant activity of these nuclei is still controversial. In the present study we aimed to analyze the STR-SNPr-CS circuitry in the audiogenic seizures of Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR). Behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) data were collected from WARs under no treatment or injection with systemic (phenobarbital) or intracerebral (intranigral) drugs (muscimol and phenobarbital). The main EEG frequency oscillation of STR, SNPr and SC seen before, during and after audiogenic seizures or during seizure protection, was determinated with wavelet spectral analyses. This method allows the association between behavior and EEG (video-EEG). Audiogenic seizures last only for half a minute in average, suggesting that the interruptions of seizures are probably not due to exhaustion. Systemic phenobarbital caused an acute and dose-dependent behavioral and EEGraphic anticonvulsant effect both in WARs. The dose of phenobarbital 15mg/kg protected animals almost completely, without side effects such as ataxia and sedation. In our data, this endogenous "natural" seizure blockade (or termination) seems to be similar to the "forced" seizure abolition, like the one caused by a systemic non-ataxic phenobarbital dose, because in both cases an intense decrease in the EEG main frequency oscillation can be seen in SNPr and SC. Intranigral phenobarbital or muscimol did not protect animals, and actually induced an increase in the main EEG frequency oscillation in SC. The main finding of the present study is that, in contrast to what is well believed about the incapacity to control audiogenic seizures by the striato-nigro-tectal circuitry, we collected here evidences that these nuclei are involved in the ability to block these seizures. However, the striato-nigro-tectal circuitry in WARs, a genetically developed strain, seems to have different functional mechanisms when compared with normal rats.

Anatomical evidence for an anticonvulsant relay in the rat ventromedial medulla

Pharmacological manipulation of the ventrolateral pontine reticular formation (vlPRF) of rats has an anticonvulsant effect in the maximal electroshock model of epilepsy. This study presents three anatomical experiments that determine the efferent projections from this region likely to mediate this anticonvulsant effect. In the first, the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into the vlPRF. A strong projection to the ventromedial medullary reticular formation (vmMRF) was revealed which continued only weakly to the spinal cord. In the second experiment, double-label procedures were used to indicate whether the BDA-labelled terminals from the vlPRF make contacts with neurons in vmMRF, retrogradely labelled with cholera-toxin B subunit from the lumbar spinal cord. Sections of the vmMRF were examined by: (i) light microscopy which showed significant overlap between terminals from vlPRF and retrogradely-labelled reticulospinal cells; (ii) confocal microscopy which showed labelled terminals in close association with reticulospinal cell bodies; and (iii) electron microscopy which showed vlPRF terminals making synaptic contact with reticulospinal neurons. Finally, immunohistochemical procedures in combination with anterograde tracing revealed that significant numbers of terminals labelled from vlPRF were also positive for markers of glutamatergic or GABAergic neurotransmission. This suggests that the projection from the vlPRF to the vmMRF is likely to include several different functional components. These connections could represent a final critical link of an anticonvulsant circuit that originates in the dorsal midbrain and projects via relays in the vlPRF and the vmMRF to interact with the low-level motor circuitry in the spinal cord.

Evidence for a role of the parafascicular nucleus of the thalamus in the control of epileptic seizures by the superior colliculus

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the nucleus parafascicularis (Pf) of the thalamus could be a relay of the control of epileptic seizures by the superior colliculus (SC). The Pf is one of the main ascending projections of the SC, the disinhibition of which has been shown to suppress seizures in different animal models and has been proposed as the main relay of the nigral control of epilepsy.

METHODS

Rats with genetic absence seizures (generalized absence epilepsy rat from Strasbourg or GAERS) were used in this study. The effect of bilateral microinjection of picrotoxin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist, in the SC on the glutamate and GABA extracellular concentration within the Pf was first investigated by using microdialysis. In a second experiment, the effect of direct activation of Pf neurons on the occurrence of absence seizures was examined with microinjection of low doses of kainate, a glutamate agonist.

RESULTS

Bilateral injection of picrotoxin (33 pmol/side) in the SC suppressed spike-and-wave discharges for 20 min. This treatment resulted in an increase of glutamate but not GABA levels in the Pf during the same time course. Bilateral injection of kainate (35 pmol/side) into the Pf significantly suppressed spike-and-wave discharges for 20 min, whereas such injections were without effects when at least one site was located outside the Pf.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that glutamatergic projections to the Pf could be involved in the control of seizures by the SC. Disinhibition of these neurons could lead to seizure suppression and may be involved in the nigral control of epilepsy.

Modifications of local cerebral glucose utilization in thalamic structures following injection of a dopaminergic agonist in the nucleus accumbens—involvement in antiepileptic effects?

Dopaminergic transmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is implicated in different aspects of reward and motivational mechanisms. More recently, it has been suggested that this nucleus could also be involved in the modulation of generalized epileptic seizures. In particular, microinjection of dopaminergic agonists in the NAcc suppresses the occurrence of epileptic seizures in a model of absence seizures, the GAERS (generalized absence epileptic rats from Strasbourg). The aim of this study was to identify the structures involved in this effect. Local cerebral metabolic rates for glucose utilization (LCMRglc) were measured in different parts of the basal ganglia and output structures after apomorphine injection in the NAcc in GAERS and in the inbred non-epileptic rats (NE), concomitantly with seizure suppression. Apomorphine injection in the NAcc induced a significant increase of glucose intake in the anteromedial, mediodorsal and ventrolateral nuclei of the thalamus in NE rats, while no significant changes were observed in the basal ganglia structures (globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra). Furthermore, microinjections of muscimol (100 and 200 pmol/side) in the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus in GAERS rats suppressed seizures. These results suggest that the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus could be involved in absence seizures modulation. Along with data from the literature, our data suggest that this nucleus could participate in the control of the basal ganglia over generalized epileptic seizures.