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Vaughan AJ, McMeekin LJ, Hine K, Stubbs IW, Codadu NK, Cockell S, Hill JT, Cowell R, Trevelyan AJ, Parrish RR. RNA Sequencing Demonstrates Ex Vivo Neocortical Transcriptomic Changes Induced by Epileptiform Activity in Male and Female Mice. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0520-23.2024. [PMID: 38664009 PMCID: PMC11129778 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0520-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Seizures are generally associated with epilepsy but may also be a symptom of many other neurological conditions. A hallmark of a seizure is the intensity of the local neuronal activation, which can drive large-scale gene transcription changes. Such changes in the transcriptional profile likely alter neuronal function, thereby contributing to the pathological process. Therefore, there is a strong clinical imperative to characterize how gene expression is changed by seizure activity. To this end, we developed a simplified ex vivo technique for studying seizure-induced transcriptional changes. We compared the RNA sequencing profile in mouse neocortical tissue with up to 3 h of epileptiform activity induced by 4-aminopyridine (4AP) relative to control brain slices not exposed to the drug. We identified over 100 genes with significantly altered expression after 4AP treatment, including multiple genes involved in MAPK, TNF, and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways, all of which have been linked to epilepsy previously. Notably, the patterns in male and female brain slices were almost identical. Various immediate early genes were among those showing the largest upregulation. The set of down-regulated genes included ones that might be expected either to increase or to decrease neuronal excitability. In summary, we found the seizure-induced transcriptional profile complex, but the changes aligned well with an analysis of published epilepsy-associated genes. We discuss how simple models may provide new angles for investigating seizure-induced transcriptional changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec J Vaughan
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602
| | - Laura J McMeekin
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35233
| | - Kutter Hine
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602
| | - Isaac W Stubbs
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602
| | - Neela K Codadu
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Cockell
- School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathon T Hill
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602
| | - Rita Cowell
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35233
| | - Andrew J Trevelyan
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - R Ryley Parrish
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602
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2
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Evers J, Orłowski J, Jahns H, Lowery MM. On-Off and Proportional Closed-Loop Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation Reduces Motor Symptoms in Freely Moving Hemiparkinsonian Rats. Neuromodulation 2024; 27:476-488. [PMID: 37245140 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Closed-loop adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) continuously adjusts stimulation parameters, with the potential to improve efficacy and reduce side effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD). Rodent models can provide an effective platform for testing aDBS algorithms and establishing efficacy before clinical investigation. In this study, we compare two aDBS algorithms, on-off and proportional modulation of DBS amplitude, with conventional DBS in hemiparkinsonian rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS DBS of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) was delivered wirelessly in freely moving male and female hemiparkinsonian (N = 7) and sham (N = 3) Wistar rats. On-off and proportional aDBS, based on STN local field potential beta power, were compared with conventional DBS and three control stimulation algorithms. Behavior was assessed during cylinder tests (CT) and stepping tests (ST). Successful model creation was confirmed via apomorphine-induced rotation test and Tyrosine Hydroxylase-immunocytochemistry. Electrode location was histologically confirmed. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. RESULTS Contralateral paw use in parkinsonian rats was reduced to 20% and 25% in CT and ST, respectively. Conventional, on-off, and proportional aDBS significantly improved motor function, restoring contralateral paw use to approximately 45% in both tests. No improvement in motor behavior was observed with either randomly applied on-off or low-amplitude continuous stimulation. Relative STN beta power was suppressed during DBS. Relative power in the alpha and gamma bands decreased and increased, respectively. Therapeutically effective adaptive DBS used approximately 40% less energy than did conventional DBS. CONCLUSIONS Adaptive DBS, using both on-off and proportional control schemes, is as effective as conventional DBS in reducing motor symptoms of PD in parkinsonian rats. Both aDBS algorithms yield substantial reductions in stimulation power. These findings support using hemiparkinsonian rats as a viable model for testing aDBS based on beta power and provide a path to investigate more complex closed-loop algorithms in freely behaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Evers
- Neuromuscular Systems Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin Belfield, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Jakub Orłowski
- Neuromuscular Systems Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin Belfield, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hanne Jahns
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Madeleine M Lowery
- Neuromuscular Systems Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin Belfield, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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Dietrich T, Aigner A, Hildebrandt A, Weber J, Meyer Günderoth M, Hohlbaum K, Keller J, Tsitsilonis S, Maleitzke T. Nesting behavior is associated with body weight and grip strength loss in mice suffering from experimental arthritis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:23087. [PMID: 38155203 PMCID: PMC10754866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49720-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective animal health evaluation is essential to determine welfare and discomfort in preclinical in vivo research. Body condition scores, body weight, and grimace scales are commonly used to evaluate well-being in murine rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis experiments. However, nest-building, a natural behavior in mice, has not yet been evaluated in wild type (WT) or genetically modified rodents suffering from collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA). To address this, we analyzed nesting behavior in WT mice, calcitonin gene-related peptide alpha-deficient (αCGRP-/-) mice, and calcitonin receptor-deficient (Calcr-/-) mice suffering from experimental RA compared to healthy control (CTRL) groups of the same genotypes. CAIA was induced in 10-12-week-old male mice, and clinical parameters (body weight, grip strength, clinical arthritis score, ankle size) as well as nesting behavior were assessed over 10 or 48 days. A slight positive association between the nest score and body weight and grip strength was found for animals suffering from CAIA. For the clinical arthritis score and ankle size, no significant associations were observed. Mixed model analyses confirmed these associations. This study demonstrates that clinical effects of RA, such as loss of body weight and grip strength, might negatively affect nesting behavior in mice. Assessing nesting behavior in mice with arthritis could be an additional, non-invasive and thus valuable health parameter in future experiments to monitor welfare and discomfort in mice. During severe disease stages, pre-formed nest-building material may be provided to animals suffering from arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Dietrich
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Aigner
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Hildebrandt
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jérôme Weber
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mara Meyer Günderoth
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Hohlbaum
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Keller
- Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Serafeim Tsitsilonis
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tazio Maleitzke
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Julius Wolff Institute, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Morris G, Avoli M, Bernard C, Connor K, de Curtis M, Dulla CG, Jefferys JGR, Psarropoulou C, Staley KJ, Cunningham MO. Can in vitro studies aid in the development and use of antiseizure therapies? A report of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force. Epilepsia 2023; 64:2571-2585. [PMID: 37642296 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
In vitro preparations (defined here as cultured cells, brain slices, and isolated whole brains) offer a variety of approaches to modeling various aspects of seizures and epilepsy. Such models are particularly amenable to the application of anti-seizure compounds, and consequently are a valuable tool to screen the mechanisms of epileptiform activity, mode of action of known anti-seizure medications (ASMs), and the potential efficacy of putative new anti-seizure compounds. Despite these applications, all disease models are a simplification of reality and are therefore subject to limitations. In this review, we summarize the main types of in vitro models that can be used in epilepsy research, describing key methodologies as well as notable advantages and disadvantages of each. We argue that a well-designed battery of in vitro models can form an effective and potentially high-throughput screening platform to predict the clinical usefulness of ASMs, and that in vitro models are particularly useful for interrogating mechanisms of ASMs. To conclude, we offer several key recommendations that maximize the potential value of in vitro models in ASM screening. This includes the use of multiple in vitro tests that can complement each other, carefully combined with in vivo studies, the use of tissues from chronically epileptic (rather than naïve wild-type) animals, and the integration of human cell/tissue-derived preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Morris
- Division of Neuroscience, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Massimo Avoli
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital and Departments of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christophe Bernard
- Inserm, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Kate Connor
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Marco de Curtis
- Epilepsy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Chris G Dulla
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John G R Jefferys
- Department of Physiology, 2nd Medical School, Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Caterina Psarropoulou
- Laboratory of Animal and Human Physiology, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Kevin J Staley
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark O Cunningham
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Ryazanova MA, Plekanchuk VS, Prokudina OI, Makovka YV, Alekhina TA, Redina OE, Markel AL. Animal Models of Hypertension (ISIAH Rats), Catatonia (GC Rats), and Audiogenic Epilepsy (PM Rats) Developed by Breeding. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1814. [PMID: 37509453 PMCID: PMC10376947 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Research into genetic and physiological mechanisms of widespread disorders such as arterial hypertension as well as neuropsychiatric and other human diseases is urgently needed in academic and practical medicine and in the field of biology. Nevertheless, such studies have many limitations and pose difficulties that can be overcome by using animal models. To date, for the purposes of creating animal models of human pathologies, several approaches have been used: pharmacological/chemical intervention; surgical procedures; genetic technologies for creating transgenic animals, knockouts, or knockdowns; and breeding. Although some of these approaches are good for certain research aims, they have many drawbacks, the greatest being a strong perturbation (in a biological system) that, along with the expected effect, exerts side effects in the study. Therefore, for investigating the pathogenesis of a disease, models obtained using genetic selection for a target trait are of high value as this approach allows for the creation of a model with a "natural" manifestation of the pathology. In this review, three rat models are described: ISIAH rats (arterial hypertension), GC rats (catatonia), and PM rats (audiogenic epilepsy), which are developed by breeding in the Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics (the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina A Ryazanova
- Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Vladislava S Plekanchuk
- Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Olga I Prokudina
- Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Yulia V Makovka
- Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Tatiana A Alekhina
- Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Olga E Redina
- Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Arcady L Markel
- Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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Mansouri MT, Ahmed MT, Cassim TZ, Kreuzer M, Graves MC, Fenzl T, García PS. Telemetric electroencephalography recording in anesthetized mice-A novel system using minimally-invasive needle electrodes with a wireless OpenBCI™ Cyton Biosensing Board. MethodsX 2023; 10:102187. [PMID: 37424756 PMCID: PMC10326441 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Telemetric electroencephalography (EEG) recording, using subdermal needle electrodes, is a minimally-invasive method to investigate mammalian neurophysiology during anesthesia. These inexpensive systems may streamline experiments examining global brain phenomena during surgical anesthesia or disease. We utilized the OpenBCI™ Cyton board with subdermal needle electrodes to extract EEG features in six C57BL/6J mice undergoing isoflurane anesthesia. Burst suppression ratio (BSR) and spectral features were compared for a verification of our method. Following an increase from 1.5% to 2.0% isoflurane, the BSR increased (Wilcoxon-signed-rank statistic; p = 0.0313). Furthermore, although the absolute EEG spectral power decreased, the relative spectral power remained comparable (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U-Statistic; 95% CI exclusive AUC=0.5; p < 0.05). Compared to tethered systems, this method confers several improvements for anesthesia specific protocols: 1-Avoiding electrode implant surgical procedures, 2-Anatomical non-specificity for needle electrode placement to monitor global cortical activity representative of anesthetic state, 3-Facility to repeat recordings in the same animal, 4-User-friendly for non-experts, 5-Rapid set-up time, and 6-Lower costs.•Minimally-invasive telemetric EEG recording systems ergonomically improve tethered systems for anesthesia protocols.•Using this method, we verified that higher isoflurane concentrations resulted in an increased EEG burst suppression ratio and decreased EEG absolute spectral power, with no change in frequency distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad T. Mansouri
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Meah T. Ahmed
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tuan Z. Cassim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Matthias Kreuzer
- Department of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Morgan C. Graves
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Thomas Fenzl
- Department of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul S. García
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Higher-order thalamic nuclei facilitate the generalization and maintenance of spike-and-wave discharges of absence seizures. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 178:106025. [PMID: 36731682 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs), generated by the cortico-thalamo-cortical (CTC) network, are pathological, large amplitude oscillations and the hallmark of absence seizures (ASs). SWDs begin in a cortical initiation network in both humans and animal models, including the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), where it is located in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). The behavioral manifestation of an AS occurs when SWDs spread from the cortical initiation site to the whole brain, however, the mechanisms behind this rapid propagation remain unclear. Here we investigated these processes beyond the principal CTC network, in higher-order (HO) thalamic nuclei (lateral posterior (LP) and posterior (PO) nuclei) since their diffuse connectivity and known facilitation of intracortical communications make these nuclei key candidates to support SWD generation and maintenance. In freely moving GAERS, multi-site LFP in LP, PO and multiple cortical regions revealed a novel feature of SWDs: during SWDs there are short periods (named SWD-breaks) when cortical regions far from S1, such the primary visual cortex (V1), become transiently unsynchronized from the ongoing EEG rhythm. Inactivation of HO nuclei with local muscimol injections or optogenetic perturbation of HO nuclei activity increased the occurrence of SWD-breaks and the former intervention also increased the SWD propagation-time from S1. The neural underpinnings of these findings were explored further by silicon probe recordings from single units of PO which uncovered two previously unknown groups of excitatory neurons based on their burst firing dynamics at SWD onset. Moreover, a switch from tonic to burst firing at SWD onset was shown to be an important feature since it was much less prominent for non-generalized events, i.e. SWDs that remained local to S1. Additionally, one group of neurons showed a reverse of this switch during SWD-breaks, demonstrating the importance of this firing pattern throughout the SWD. In summary, these results support the view that multiple HO thalamic nuclei are utilized at SWD onset and contribute to cortical synchrony throughout the paroxysmal discharge.
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8
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Evers J, Sridhar K, Lowery M. Feasibility of pair-housing of rats after cranial implant surgery. Lab Anim 2023; 57:69-74. [PMID: 36217285 DOI: 10.1177/00236772221122099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Rat models employing cranial implants are increasingly employed to facilitate neural stimulation and recording in freely moving animals. Due to possible damage to wound, implant or attached devices, rats with cranial implants are traditionally housed singly, and little information is available on group- or pair-housing. Here we describe a protocol for pair-housing rats following cranial implant surgery and describe our experience with pair-housing during post-surgical recovery and up to 16 weeks following surgery.Thirty-six adult Wistar rats of both sexes were implanted with deep brain stimulation electrodes. Ten rats were equipped with an additional wireless headstage. Rats were housed in stable pairs before surgery and re-introduced 0-18 h post-surgery. Rat grimace scores did not indicate pain after conclusion of the analgesia protocol, physiological parameters were in the normal range three days post-surgery and weight loss did not exceed 10%. Rats with a cement cap only were pair-housed continuously without damage to the headcap. Rats carrying an additional fragile headstage had to be separated during lights-off periods to prevent headstage damage but could be pair-housed during lights-on periods.Pair-housing is a feasible and effective method to facilitate the rats' need for social companionship following cranial implant surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Evers
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin, Ireland.,CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, Galway, Ireland
| | - Karthik Sridhar
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin, Ireland.,CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, Galway, Ireland
| | - Madeleine Lowery
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin, Ireland.,CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, Galway, Ireland
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De Ruyver C, Baert K, Cartuyvels E, Beernaert LAL, Tuyttens FAM, Leirs H, Moons CPH. Assessing animal welfare impact of fourteen control and dispatch methods for house mouse (Mus musculus ), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus ) and black rat (Rattus rattus ). Anim Welf 2023; 32:e2. [PMID: 38487454 PMCID: PMC10937213 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2022.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Population control of the house mouse (Mus musculus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and black rat (Rattus rattus) is common practice worldwide. Our objective was to assess the impact on animal welfare of lethal and non-lethal control methods, including three dispatch methods. We used the Sharp and Saunders welfare assessment model with eight experts scoring eleven control methods and three dispatch methods used on the three species. We presumed the methods were performed as prescribed, only taking into account the effect on the target animal (and not, for example, on non-target catches). We did not assess population control efficacy of the methods. Methods considered to induce the least suffering to the target animal were captive-bolt traps, electrocution traps and cervical dislocation, while those with the greatest impact were anticoagulants, cholecalciferol and deprivation. Experts indicated considerable uncertainty regarding their evaluation of certain methods, which emphasises the need for further scientific research. In particular, the impact of hydrogen cyanide, chloralose and aluminium phosphide on animal welfare ought to be investigated. The experts also stressed the need to improve Standard Operating Procedures and to incorporate animal welfare assessments in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The results of our study can help laypeople, professionals, regulatory agencies and legislators making well-informed decisions as to which methods to use when controlling commensal rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciska De Ruyver
- Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Ethology and Animal Welfare Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Kristof Baert
- Wildlife Management and Invasive species, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Havenlaan 88 bus 73, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emma Cartuyvels
- Wildlife Management and Invasive species, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Havenlaan 88 bus 73, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lies AL Beernaert
- Department of Biotechnology, Vives University College, Wilgenstraat 32, 8800Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Frank AM Tuyttens
- Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Ethology and Animal Welfare Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820Merelbeke, Belgium
- Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Scheldeweg 68, 9090Melle, Belgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Christel PH Moons
- Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Ethology and Animal Welfare Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820Merelbeke, Belgium
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Neuhaus W, Reininger-Gutmann B, Rinner B, Plasenzotti R, Wilflingseder D, De Kock J, Vanhaecke T, Rogiers V, Jírová D, Kejlová K, Knudsen LE, Nielsen RN, Kleuser B, Kral V, Thöne-Reineke C, Hartung T, Pallocca G, Rovida C, Leist M, Hippenstiel S, Lang A, Retter I, Krämer S, Jedlicka P, Ameli K, Fritsche E, Tigges J, Kuchovská E, Buettner M, Bleich A, Baumgart N, Baumgart J, Meinhardt MW, Spanagel R, Chourbaji S, Kränzlin B, Seeger B, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Sánchez-Morgado JM, Galligioni V, Ruiz-Pérez D, Movia D, Prina-Mello A, Ahluwalia A, Chiono V, Gutleb AC, Schmit M, van Golen B, van Weereld L, Kienhuis A, van Oort E, van der Valk J, Smith A, Roszak J, Stępnik M, Sobańska Z, Reszka E, Olsson IAS, Franco NH, Sevastre B, Kandarova H, Capdevila S, Johansson J, Svensk E, Cederroth CR, Sandström J, Ragan I, Bubalo N, Kurreck J, Spielmann H. The Current Status and Work of Three Rs Centres and Platforms in Europe. Altern Lab Anim 2022; 50:381-413. [PMID: 36458800 DOI: 10.1177/02611929221140909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The adoption of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes has given a major push to the formation of Three Rs initiatives in the form of centres and platforms. These centres and platforms are dedicated to the so-called Three Rs, which are the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal use in experiments. ATLA's 50th Anniversary year has seen the publication of two articles on European Three Rs centres and platforms. The first of these was about the progressive rise in their numbers and about their founding history; this second part focuses on their current status and activities. This article takes a closer look at their financial and organisational structures, describes their Three Rs focus and core activities (dissemination, education, implementation, scientific quality/translatability, ethics), and presents their areas of responsibility and projects in detail. This overview of the work and diverse structures of the Three Rs centres and platforms is not only intended to bring them closer to the reader, but also to provide role models and show examples of how such Three Rs centres and platforms could be made sustainable. The Three Rs centres and platforms are very important focal points and play an immense role as facilitators of Directive 2010/63/EU 'on the ground' in their respective countries. They are also invaluable for the wide dissemination of information and for promoting the implementation of the Three Rs in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winfried Neuhaus
- EUSAAT, 31189Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) GmbH, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Centre for Health and Bioresources, Vienna, Austria, and Danube Private University, Department of Medicine, Krems, Austria
| | | | - Beate Rinner
- Biomedical Research, 31475Medical University Graz, Austria
| | - Roberto Plasenzotti
- Department of Biomedical Research, 27271Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- 27255Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joery De Kock
- 70493Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Innovation Centre-3R Alternatives (IC-3Rs), Dept. In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- 70493Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Innovation Centre-3R Alternatives (IC-3Rs), Dept. In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- 70493Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Innovation Centre-3R Alternatives (IC-3Rs), Dept. In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dagmar Jírová
- Centre of Toxicology and Health Safety, 37739National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Kejlová
- Centre of Toxicology and Health Safety, 37739National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Burkhard Kleuser
- 9166Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vivian Kral
- 9166Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christa Thöne-Reineke
- 9166Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) Europe, University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Giorgia Pallocca
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) Europe, University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Costanza Rovida
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) Europe, University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) Europe, University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stefan Hippenstiel
- 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité3R, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annemarie Lang
- 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité3R, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ida Retter
- 14903Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité3R, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephanie Krämer
- 3R Centre JLU Giessen, Interdisciplinary Centre for 3Rs in Animal Research (ICAR3R), Giessen, Germany
| | - Peter Jedlicka
- 3R Centre JLU Giessen, Interdisciplinary Centre for 3Rs in Animal Research (ICAR3R), Giessen, Germany
| | - Katharina Ameli
- 3R Centre JLU Giessen, Interdisciplinary Centre for 3Rs in Animal Research (ICAR3R), Giessen, Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- 256593IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Tigges
- 256593IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eliška Kuchovská
- 256593IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Manuela Buettner
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, 9177Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andre Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, 9177Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nadine Baumgart
- TARC force 3R, Translational Animal Research Center, University Medical Centre, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Jan Baumgart
- Translational Animal Research Center, University Medical Centre, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Marcus W Meinhardt
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Chourbaji
- Interfaculty Biomedical Research Facility (IBF), University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bettina Kränzlin
- Core Facility Preclinical Models, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Bettina Seeger
- 460510University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Institute for Food Quality and Food Safety, Research Group Food Toxicology and Alternatives/Complementary Methods to Animal Experiments, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- 460510University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Department of Biochemistry & Research Centre for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Viola Galligioni
- Bioresearch and Veterinary Services, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniel Ruiz-Pérez
- Bioresearch and Veterinary Services, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dania Movia
- Comparative Medicine Unit, 8809Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adriele Prina-Mello
- Comparative Medicine Unit, 8809Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Arti Ahluwalia
- Applied Radiation Therapy Trinity (ARTT) and Laboratory for Biological Characterisation of Advanced Materials (LBCAM), Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), School of Medicine, 8809Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Valeria Chiono
- Laboratory for Biological Characterisation of Advanced Materials (LBCAM), Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), School of Medicine, 8809Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Arno C Gutleb
- Department of Information Engineering, Università di Pisa and Centro 3R, Interuniversity Centre for the Promotion of 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research, Italy
| | - Marthe Schmit
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 19032Politecnico di Torino, Torino and Centro 3R, and Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research, Italy
| | - Bea van Golen
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | | | - Anne Kienhuis
- 2890Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Erica van Oort
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Jan van der Valk
- Netherlands National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (NCad), The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Adrian Smith
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment-RIVM, BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Joanna Roszak
- 3Rs-Centre, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maciej Stępnik
- 3Rs-Centre, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Norecopa, Ås, Norway
| | - Zuzanna Sobańska
- 3Rs-Centre, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Edyta Reszka
- 3Rs-Centre, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - I Anna S Olsson
- The National Centre for Alternative Methods to Toxicity Assessment, 49611Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
- QSAR Lab Ltd, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Nuno Henrique Franco
- The National Centre for Alternative Methods to Toxicity Assessment, 49611Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
- QSAR Lab Ltd, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bogdan Sevastre
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 26706Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Kandarova
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, 26706Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Capdevila
- Romanian Center for Alternative Test Methods (ROCAM) hosted by the 162275University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Jessica Johansson
- Slovak National Platform for 3Rs-SNP3Rs, Bratislava, Slovakia; and Department of Tissue Cultures and Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 87171Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Emma Svensk
- Slovak National Platform for 3Rs-SNP3Rs, Bratislava, Slovakia; and Department of Tissue Cultures and Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 87171Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Christopher R Cederroth
- Comparative Medicine and Bioimage Centre of Catalonia (CMCiB), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Jenny Sandström
- Comparative Medicine and Bioimage Centre of Catalonia (CMCiB), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Ian Ragan
- Swedish 3Rs Center, Swedish Board of Agriculture, Jönköping, Sweden
| | | | - Jens Kurreck
- National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs), London, United Kingdom
| | - Horst Spielmann
- 9166Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Potrebić MS, Pavković ŽZ, Srbovan MM, Ðmura GM, Pešić VT. Changes in the Behavior and Body Weight of Mature, Adult Male Wistar Han Rats after Reduced Social Grouping and Social Isolation. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2022; 61:615-623. [PMID: 36328417 PMCID: PMC9732776 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-22-000032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Changes in housing density, including individual housing, are commonly necessary in animal research. Obtaining reproducibility and translational validity in biomedical research requires an understanding of how animals adapt to changes in housing density. Existing literature mainly addresses acclimatization after transportation. We used a within-subject design to examine changes in behavior and weight gain of 4-mo-old male Wistar Han rats after reduction of their social group (RSG; due to removal of one rat from a cage containing 3 rats) and social isolation (SI; the removed rat) for the subsequent 2 wk. Changes in weight gain and in exploratory and center-avoidance behavior in an inescapable open arena (OA) were measured before (D0) and on days 7 and 14 (D7 and D14, respectively) after social change. The motor response to d-amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg), which stimulates behavioral arousal in response to novelty, was assessed at D14. Within-subject design revealed that RSG rats in OA had less locomotion at D7 but not more center-avoidance behavior and had returned to the D0 activity level at D14; SI rats in OA had consistently less locomotion and more center-avoidance behavior. Rearing behavior during OA exposure did not change in either group. However, SI rats showed more center-avoidance behavior in OA, greater weight gain, and less amphetamine-induced rearing at D14 as compared with RSG rats. These data indicate that after RSG, mature adult male rats require 2 wk to return to their baseline level of OA-related behavior, while after SI they gain weight and acquire maladaptive exploratory and center-avoidance behavior. The finding that SI produces maladaptive behavioral and physiologic alterations in adult male rats deserves attention because these changes could have confounding effects on research findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica S Potrebić
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković – National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Željko Z Pavković
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković – National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja M Srbovan
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković – National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Goran M Ðmura
- Animal Facility, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković – National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vesna T Pešić
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković – National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia,,Corresponding author.
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12
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Aulehner K, Leenaars C, Buchecker V, Stirling H, Schönhoff K, King H, Häger C, Koska I, Jirkof P, Bleich A, Bankstahl M, Potschka H. Grimace scale, burrowing, and nest building for the assessment of post-surgical pain in mice and rats-A systematic review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:930005. [PMID: 36277074 PMCID: PMC9583882 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.930005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies suggested an informative value of behavioral and grimace scale parameters for the detection of pain. However, the robustness and reliability of the parameters as well as the current extent of implementation are still largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to systematically analyze the current evidence-base of grimace scale, burrowing, and nest building for the assessment of post-surgical pain in mice and rats. The following platforms were searched for relevant articles: PubMed, Embase via Ovid, and Web of Science. Only full peer-reviewed studies that describe the grimace scale, burrowing, and/or nest building as pain parameters in the post-surgical phase in mice and/or rats were included. Information about the study design, animal characteristics, intervention characteristics, and outcome measures was extracted from identified publications. In total, 74 papers were included in this review. The majority of studies have been conducted in young adult C57BL/6J mice and Sprague Dawley and Wistar rats. While there is an apparent lack of information about young animals, some studies that analyzed the grimace scale in aged rats were identified. The majority of studies focused on laparotomy-associated pain. Only limited information is available about other types of surgical interventions. While an impact of surgery and an influence of analgesia were rather consistently reported in studies focusing on grimace scales, the number of studies that assessed respective effects was rather low for nest building and burrowing. Moreover, controversial findings were evident for the impact of analgesics on post-surgical nest building activity. Regarding analgesia, a monotherapeutic approach was identified in the vast majority of studies with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs and opioids being most commonly used. In conclusion, most evidence exists for grimace scales, which were more frequently used to assess post-surgical pain in rodents than the other behavioral parameters. However, our findings also point to relevant knowledge gaps concerning the post-surgical application in different strains, age levels, and following different surgical procedures. Future efforts are also necessary to directly compare the sensitivity and robustness of different readout parameters applied for the assessment of nest building and burrowing activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Aulehner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Cathalijn Leenaars
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Verena Buchecker
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Helen Stirling
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Schönhoff
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah King
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Häger
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ines Koska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Paulin Jirkof
- Office for Animal Welfare and 3Rs, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Marion Bankstahl
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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13
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Guarino A, Bettegazzi B, Aziz N, Barbieri M, Bochicchio D, Crippa L, Marino P, Sguizzato M, Soukupova M, Zucchini S, Simonato M. Low-dose 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Administration After Status Epilepticus Prevents Epilepsy Development. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1951-1965. [PMID: 36180719 PMCID: PMC9723075 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy often manifests months or even years after an initial epileptogenic insult (e.g., stroke, trauma, status epilepticus) and, therefore, may be preventable. However, no such preventive treatment is currently available. Aim of this study was to test an antioxidant agent, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), that is well tolerated and effective in preclinical models of many neurological disorders, as an anti-epileptogenic drug. However, 7,8-DHF also acts as a TrkB receptor agonist and, based on the literature, this effect may imply an anti- or a pro-epileptogenic effect. We found that low- (5 mg/kg), but not high-dose 7,8-DHF (10 mg/kg) can exert strong anti-epileptogenic effects in the lithium-pilocarpine model (i.e., highly significant reduction in the frequency of spontaneous seizures and in the time to first seizure after status epilepticus). The mechanism of these different dose-related effects remains to be elucidated. Nonetheless, considering its excellent safety profile and antioxidant properties, as well as its putative effects on TrkB receptors, 7,8-DHF represents an interesting template for the development of effective and well-tolerated anti-epileptogenic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annunziata Guarino
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Barbara Bettegazzi
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Nimra Aziz
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mario Barbieri
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Daniela Bochicchio
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lucia Crippa
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Marino
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maddalena Sguizzato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
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14
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Katsarou AM, Kubova H, Auvin S, Mantegazza M, Barker-Haliski M, Galanopoulou AS, Reid CA, Semple BD. A companion to the preclinical common data elements for rodent models of pediatric acquired epilepsy: A report of the TASK3-WG1B, Pediatric and Genetic Models Working Group of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force. Epilepsia Open 2022. [PMID: 35950641 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy syndromes during the early years of life may be attributed to an acquired insult, such as hypoxic-ischemic injury, infection, status epilepticus, or brain trauma. These conditions are frequently modeled in experimental rodents to delineate mechanisms of epileptogenesis and investigate novel therapeutic strategies. However, heterogeneity and subsequent lack of reproducibility of such models across laboratories is an ongoing challenge to maintain scientific rigor and knowledge advancement. To address this, as part of the TASK3-WG1B Working Group of the International League Against Epilepsy/American Epilepsy Society Joint Translational Task Force, we have developed a series of case report forms (CRFs) to describe common data elements for pediatric acquired epilepsy models in rodents. The "Rodent Models of Pediatric Acquired Epilepsy" Core CRF was designed to capture cohort-general information; while two Specific CRFs encompass physical induction models and chemical induction models, respectively. This companion manuscript describes the key elements of these models and why they are important to be considered and reported consistently. Together, these CRFs provide investigators with the tools to systematically record critical information regarding their chosen model of acquired epilepsy during early life, for improved standardization and transparency across laboratories. These outcomes will support the ultimate goal of such research; that is, to understand the childhood onset-specific biology of epileptogenesis after acquired insults, and translate this knowledge into therapeutics to improve pediatric patient outcomes and minimize the lifetime burden of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Katsarou
- Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Hana Kubova
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Robert-Debré, INSERM UMR 1141, APHP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Massimo Mantegazza
- Inserm, LabEx ICST, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology (IPMC), CNRS UMR7275, Université Côte d'Azur, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Melissa Barker-Haliski
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aristea S Galanopoulou
- Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Isabelle Rapin Division of Child Neurology, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Christopher A Reid
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bridgette D Semple
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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15
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The impact of tethered recording techniques on activity and sleep patterns in rats. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3179. [PMID: 35210444 PMCID: PMC8873297 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06307-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrophysiological recordings in animals constitute frequently applied techniques to study neuronal function. In this context, several authors described tethered recordings as a semi-restraint situation with negative implications for animal welfare and suggested radiotelemetric setups as a refinement measure. Thus, we here investigated the hypothesis that tethered recordings exert measurable effects on behavioral and sleep patterns in Sprague–Dawley rats. Animals were kept in monitoring glass cages either with or without a head connection to a recording cable. Saccharin preference, nest building, serum corticosterone and fecal corticosterone metabolite levels were in a comparable range in both groups. The proportion of vigilance states was not affected by the cable connection. Minor group differences were detected in bout lengths distributions, with a trend for longer NREM and WAKE stages in animals with a cable connection. However, a relevant effect was not further confirmed by an analysis of the number of sleep/wake and wake/sleep transitions. The analysis of activity levels did not reveal group differences. However, prolonged exposure to the tethered condition resulted in an intra-group increase of activity. In conclusion, the comparison between freely moving vs tethered rats did not reveal major group differences. Our findings indicate that telemetric recordings only offer small advantages vs cabled set ups, though this may differ in other experimental studies where for example anxiety- or drug-induced effects are analyzed.
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16
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Fusco F, Perottoni S, Giordano C, Riva A, Iannone LF, De Caro C, Russo E, Albani D, Striano P. The microbiota‐gut‐brain axis and epilepsy from a multidisciplinary perspective: clinical evidence and technological solutions for improvement of
in vitro
preclinical models. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10296. [PMID: 35600638 PMCID: PMC9115712 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Fusco
- Dipartimento di Chimica, materiali e ingegneria chimica "Giulio Natta" Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Simone Perottoni
- Dipartimento di Chimica, materiali e ingegneria chimica "Giulio Natta" Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Carmen Giordano
- Dipartimento di Chimica, materiali e ingegneria chimica "Giulio Natta" Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini Genova Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health Università degli Studi di Genova Genova Italy
| | | | - Carmen De Caro
- Science of Health Department Magna Graecia University Catanzaro Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department Magna Graecia University Catanzaro Italy
| | - Diego Albani
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS Milan Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini Genova Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health Università degli Studi di Genova Genova Italy
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17
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Acute and chronic cardiorespiratory consequences of focal intrahippocampal administration of seizure-inducing agents. Implications for SUDEP. Auton Neurosci 2021; 235:102864. [PMID: 34428716 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The risk factors for SUDEP are undoubtedly heterogenous but the main factor is the frequency of generalized tonic-clonic seizures with apnoea and/or cardiac abnormalities likely precipitating the lethal event. By its very nature modelling SUDEP experimentally is challenging, yet insights into the nature of the lethal event and precipitating factors are vital in order to understand and prevent fatalities. Acute animal models, which induce status epilepticus (SE), can be used to help understand pathophysiological processes during and following seizures, which sometimes lead to death. The most commonly used method to induce seizures and status epilepticus is systemic administration of an ictogenic agent. Microinjection of such agents into restricted regions within the brain induces a more localised epileptic focus and circumvents the risk of direct actions on cardiorespiratory control centres. Both approaches have revealed substantial cardiovascular and respiratory consequences, including death as a result of apnoea, which may be of central origin, obstructive due to laryngospasm or, at least in genetically modified mice, a result of spreading depolarisation to medullary respiratory control centres. SUDEP is by definition a result of epilepsy, which in turn is diagnosed on the basis of two or more unprovoked seizures. The incidence of tonic-clonic seizures is the main risk factor, raising the possibility that repeated seizures cause cumulative pathological and/or pathophysiological changes that contribute to the risk of SUDEP. Chronic experimental models, which induce repeated seizures that in some cases lead to death, do show progressive development of pathophysiological changes in the myocardium, e.g. prolongation of QT the interval of the ECG or, over longer periods, ventricular hypertrophy. However, the currently available evidence indicates that seizure-related deaths are primarily due to apnoeas, but cardiac factors, particularly cumulative cardiac pathophysiologies due to repeated seizures, are potential contributing factors.
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18
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Tilelli CQ, Flôres LR, Cota VR, Castro OWD, Garcia-Cairasco N. Amygdaloid complex anatomopathological findings in animal models of status epilepticus. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 121:106831. [PMID: 31864944 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epileptic seizures are one of the most common and well-characterized types of epilepsies. The current knowledge on the pathology of temporal lobe epilepsy relies strongly on studies of epileptogenesis caused by experimentally induced status epilepticus (SE). Although several temporal lobe structures have been implicated in the epileptogenic process, the hippocampal formation is the temporal lobe structure studied in the greatest amount and detail. However, studies in human patients and animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy indicate that the amygdaloid complex can be also an important seizure generator, and several pathological processes have been shown in the amygdala during epileptogenesis. Therefore, in the present review, we systematically selected, organized, described, and analyzed the current knowledge on anatomopathological data associated with the amygdaloid complex during SE-induced epileptogenesis. Amygdaloid complex participation in the epileptogenic process is evidenced, among others, by alterations in energy metabolism, circulatory, and fluid regulation, neurotransmission, immediate early genes expression, tissue damage, cell suffering, inflammation, and neuroprotection. We conclude that major efforts should be made in order to include the amygdaloid complex as an important target area for evaluation in future research on SE-induced epileptogenesis. This article is part of the Special Issue "NEWroscience 2018".
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Queixa Tilelli
- Laboratory of Physiology, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Av. Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, 400, Bairro Belvedere, Divinópolis, MG 35.501-296, Brazil.
| | - Larissa Ribeiro Flôres
- Laboratory of Physiology, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Av. Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, 400, Bairro Belvedere, Divinópolis, MG 35.501-296, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Rosa Cota
- Laboratory of Neuroengineering and Neuroscience (LINNce), Department of Electrical Engineering, Campus Santo Antônio, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Praça Frei Orlando, 170, Centro, São João Del Rei, MG 36307-352, Brazil
| | - Olagide Wagner de Castro
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Campus A. C. Simões, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Av. Lourival Melo Mota, s/n, Tabuleiro do Martins, Maceió, AL 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Neurophysiology and Experimental Neuroethology Laboratory (LNNE), Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil.
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19
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Hristova K, Martinez-Gonzalez C, Watson TC, Codadu NK, Hashemi K, Kind PC, Nolan MF, Gonzalez-Sulser A. Medial septal GABAergic neurons reduce seizure duration upon optogenetic closed-loop stimulation. Brain 2021; 144:1576-1589. [PMID: 33769452 PMCID: PMC8219369 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizures can emerge from multiple or large foci in temporal lobe epilepsy, complicating focally targeted strategies such as surgical resection or the modulation of the activity of specific hippocampal neuronal populations through genetic or optogenetic techniques. Here, we evaluate a strategy in which optogenetic activation of medial septal GABAergic neurons, which provide extensive projections throughout the hippocampus, is used to control seizures. We utilized the chronic intrahippocampal kainate mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy, which results in spontaneous seizures and as is often the case in human patients, presents with hippocampal sclerosis. Medial septal GABAergic neuron populations were immunohistochemically labelled and were not reduced in epileptic conditions. Genetic labelling with mRuby of medial septal GABAergic neuron synaptic puncta and imaging across the rostral to caudal extent of the hippocampus, also indicated an unchanged number of putative synapses in epilepsy. Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of medial septal GABAergic neurons consistently modulated oscillations across multiple hippocampal locations in control and epileptic conditions. Finally, wireless optogenetic stimulation of medial septal GABAergic neurons, upon electrographic detection of spontaneous hippocampal seizures, resulted in reduced seizure durations. We propose medial septal GABAergic neurons as a novel target for optogenetic control of seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Hristova
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing
Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain and Patrick Wild Centre, University
of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing
Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain and Patrick Wild Centre, University
of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thomas C Watson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing
Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain and Patrick Wild Centre, University
of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Neela K Codadu
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing
Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain and Patrick Wild Centre, University
of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Peter C Kind
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing
Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain and Patrick Wild Centre, University
of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matthew F Nolan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing
Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain and Patrick Wild Centre, University
of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alfredo Gonzalez-Sulser
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Simons Initiative for the Developing
Brain, Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain and Patrick Wild Centre, University
of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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20
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Galanopoulou AS, Löscher W, Lubbers L, O’Brien TJ, Staley K, Vezzani A, D’Ambrosio R, White HS, Sontheimer H, Wolf JA, Twyman R, Whittemore V, Wilcox KS, Klein B. Antiepileptogenesis and disease modification: Progress, challenges, and the path forward-Report of the Preclinical Working Group of the 2018 NINDS-sponsored antiepileptogenesis and disease modification workshop. Epilepsia Open 2021; 6:276-296. [PMID: 34033232 PMCID: PMC8166793 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic brain diseases and is often associated with cognitive, behavioral, or other medical conditions. The need for therapies that would prevent, ameliorate, or cure epilepsy and the attendant comorbidities is a priority for both epilepsy research and public health. In 2018, the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke (NINDS) convened a workshop titled "Accelerating the Development of Therapies for Antiepileptogenesis and Disease Modification" that brought together preclinical and clinical investigators and industry and regulatory bodies' representatives to discuss and propose a roadmap to accelerate the development of antiepileptogenic (AEG) and disease-modifying (DM) new therapies. This report provides a summary of the discussions and proposals of the Preclinical Science working group. Highlights of the progress of collaborative preclinical research projects on AEG/DM of ongoing research initiatives aiming to improve infrastructure and translation to clinical trials are presented. Opportunities and challenges of preclinical epilepsy research, vis-à-vis clinical research, were extensively discussed, as they pertain to modeling of specific epilepsy types across etiologies and ages, the utilization of preclinical models in AG/DM studies, and the strategies and study designs, as well as on matters pertaining to transparency, data sharing, and reporting research findings. A set of suggestions on research initiatives, infrastructure, workshops, advocacy, and opportunities for expanding the borders of epilepsy research were discussed and proposed as useful initiatives that could help create a roadmap to accelerate and optimize preclinical translational AEG/DM epilepsy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristea S. Galanopoulou
- Saul R. Korey Department of NeurologyDominick P. Purpura Department of NeuroscienceIsabelle Rapin Division of Child NeurologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNYUSA
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and PharmacyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
| | | | - Terence J. O’Brien
- Department of NeuroscienceCentral Clinical SchoolAlfred HealthMonash UniversityMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Kevin Staley
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of NeuroscienceIRCCS‐Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological ResearchMilanoItaly
| | | | - H. Steve White
- Department of PharmacySchool of PharmacyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | | | - John A. Wolf
- Center for Brain Injury and RepairDepartment of NeurosurgeryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical CenterPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | | | - Vicky Whittemore
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Karen S. Wilcox
- Department of Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
| | - Brian Klein
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
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21
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Anti-epileptogenic effect of NRP2945 in the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 901:174068. [PMID: 33798600 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Innovative therapeutic strategies are highly needed to tackle the major medical needs of epilepsy, like prevention of epilepsy development in at-risk individuals, treatment of severe and drug-resistant forms, control of co-morbidities. The Neural Regeneration Peptide NRP2945 (a peptidomimetic analogue of the human CAPS-2 protein) has been recently found to exert many potentially anti-epileptic effects, for example increased neuronal survival and differentiation. In the present study, we tested the effects of NRP2945 on the development of epilepsy (epileptogenesis) and on chronic, spontaneous seizures, by using the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. We found that NRP2945 exerts a robust anti-epileptogenic effect, reducing the frequency of spontaneous seizures, exerting a significant neuroprotective effect and attenuating anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairment. These effects appear to depend on modulation of the epileptogenesis process and not on seizure suppression, because NRP2945 did not reduce frequency or duration of spontaneous seizures when administered to already epileptic animals. These findings may form the basis for a preventive therapy for individuals at-risk of developing epilepsy.
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22
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Marshall GF, Gonzalez-Sulser A, Abbott CM. Modelling epilepsy in the mouse: challenges and solutions. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm.047449. [PMID: 33619078 PMCID: PMC7938804 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In most mouse models of disease, the outward manifestation of a disorder can be measured easily, can be assessed with a trivial test such as hind limb clasping, or can even be observed simply by comparing the gross morphological characteristics of mutant and wild-type littermates. But what if we are trying to model a disorder with a phenotype that appears only sporadically and briefly, like epileptic seizures? The purpose of this Review is to highlight the challenges of modelling epilepsy, in which the most obvious manifestation of the disorder, seizures, occurs only intermittently, possibly very rarely and often at times when the mice are not under direct observation. Over time, researchers have developed a number of ways in which to overcome these challenges, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In this Review, we describe the genetics of epilepsy and the ways in which genetically altered mouse models have been used. We also discuss the use of induced models in which seizures are brought about by artificial stimulation to the brain of wild-type animals, and conclude with the ways these different approaches could be used to develop a wider range of anti-seizure medications that could benefit larger patient populations. Summary: This Review discusses the challenges of modelling epilepsy in mice, a condition in which the outward manifestation of the disorder appears only sporadically, and reviews possible solutions encompassing both genetic and induced models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant F Marshall
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Alfredo Gonzalez-Sulser
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, 1 George Square, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Catherine M Abbott
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK .,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
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23
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Boldt L, Koska I, Maarten van Dijk R, Talbot SR, Miljanovic N, Palme R, Bleich A, Potschka H. Toward evidence-based severity assessment in mouse models with repeated seizures: I. Electrical kindling. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 115:107689. [PMID: 33418481 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ethical decisions about an allowance for animal experiments need to be based on scientifically sound information about the burden and distress associated with the experimental procedure and models. Thereby, species differences need to be considered for recommendations regarding evidence-based severity assessment and refinement measures. METHODS A comprehensive analysis of behavioral patterns and corticosterone or its metabolites in serum and feces was completed in kindled mice. The impact of kindling via two different stimulation sites in the amygdala and hippocampus was determined. Data were compared to those from naive and electrode-implanted groups. RESULTS Amygdala and hippocampus kindled mice exhibited comparable behavioral patterns with increased activity in the open field, reduced anxiety-associated behavior in the elevated-plus maze, and increased anhedonia-associated behavior in the saccharin preference test. In addition, repeated stimulation of the hippocampus caused a reduction in burrowing behavior and an increase in active social interaction. Levels of corticosterone and its metabolites were not altered in serum or feces, respectively. A comparison of mouse data with findings from amygdala kindled rats confirmed pronounced species differences in behavioral patterns associated with the kindling process. SIGNIFICANCE Taken together the findings suggest a severity classification for the mouse kindling paradigms as moderate regardless of the stimulation site. The outcome of the species comparison provides valuable guidance for species selection for studies exploring behavioral comorbidities. In this context, it is emphasized that the mouse kindling paradigms seem to be well suited for studies exploring the link between ictal events and network alterations on the one hand, and hyperactivity and anhedonia-associated behavior on the other hand. Moreover, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the impact of therapeutic interventions on these behavioral alterations can be studied in these paradigms providing guidance for the clinical management of respective psychiatric comorbidities in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Boldt
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ines Koska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - R Maarten van Dijk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Steven R Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nina Miljanovic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
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24
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Stow R, Kendrick J, Ibbotson N, Adjin-Tettey G, Murphy B, Trojca R, Miller J, Konradsen G, Øvlisen K, Helleberg H, Hansen JJ. A new group housing approach for non-human primate metabolism studies. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2021; 107:106947. [PMID: 33429039 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2020.106947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of candidate drugs in preclinical species is an integral part of the safety and efficacy evaluation in drug development. For this purpose, the housing of single animals in metabolism cages has historically been common practice for ADME studies. Whilst mini-pigs and dogs are selected wherever possible, non-human primates (NHPs) are used where there is no suitable scientific alternative. Having undergone only minimal revisions over the past 30 years, the traditional single-housing metabolism cage design for NHPs significantly limits normal vertical movement and social behaviours in primates. Minimising animal suffering and improving welfare is an important aspect of working with animals in research and Novo Nordisk A/S, together with collaborators, has focused on this area for many years. A novel metabolism cage for group housing of NHPs has been designed in a joint collaboration between Novo Nordisk A/S and Covance Inc. The advantages of this novel cage are extensive, including a significantly increased cage volume and ability for socialisation, as well as improvements to alleviate stress and boredom. The excretion balance data from six male NHPs housed in single or group metabolism cages were compared using the radiolabelled test compound [14C]-quetiapine. Welfare, in terms of stress and behaviour, when animals were single or group housed was also assessed. Mean recoveries of radioactivity were shown to be comparable irrespective of housing design (83.2% for group-housed animals vs. 87.1% for single-housed animals), supporting the potential suitability of NHP group housing for future metabolism ADME studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Stow
- Covance Laboratories Ltd., Harrogate, UK.
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25
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Welzel L, Bergin DH, Schidlitzki A, Twele F, Johne M, Klein P, Löscher W. Systematic evaluation of rationally chosen multitargeted drug combinations: a combination of low doses of levetiracetam, atorvastatin and ceftriaxone exerts antiepileptogenic effects in a mouse model of acquired epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 149:105227. [PMID: 33347976 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epileptogenesis, the gradual process that leads to epilepsy after brain injury or genetic mutations, is a complex network phenomenon, involving a variety of morphological, biochemical and functional brain alterations. Although risk factors for developing epilepsy are known, there is currently no treatment available to prevent epilepsy. We recently proposed a multitargeted, network-based approach to prevent epileptogenesis by rationally combining clinically available drugs and provided first proof-of-concept that this strategy is effective. Here we evaluated eight novel rationally chosen combinations of 14 drugs with mechanisms that target different epileptogenic processes. The combinations consisted of 2-4 different drugs per combination and were administered systemically over 5 days during the latent epileptogenic period in the intrahippocampal kainate mouse model of acquired temporal lobe epilepsy, starting 6 h after kainate. Doses and dosing intervals were based on previous pharmacokinetic and tolerability studies in mice. The incidence and frequency of spontaneous electrographic and electroclinical seizures were recorded by continuous (24/7) video linked EEG monitoring done for seven days at 4 and 12 weeks post-kainate, i.e., long after termination of drug treatment. Compared to vehicle controls, the most effective drug combination consisted of low doses of levetiracetam, atorvastatin and ceftriaxone, which markedly reduced the incidence of electrographic seizures (by 60%; p<0.05) and electroclinical seizures (by 100%; p<0.05) recorded at 12 weeks after kainate. This effect was lost when higher doses of the three drugs were administered, indicating a synergistic drug-drug interaction at the low doses. The potential mechanisms underlying this interaction are discussed. We have discovered a promising novel multitargeted combination treatment for modifying the development of acquired epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Welzel
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - David H Bergin
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Alina Schidlitzki
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Friederike Twele
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Marie Johne
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Pavel Klein
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.
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Antiangiogenic molecules from marine actinomycetes and the importance of using zebrafish model in cancer research. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05662. [PMID: 33319107 PMCID: PMC7725737 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood vessel sprouting from pre-existing vessels or angiogenesis plays a significant role in tumour progression. Development of novel biomolecules from marine natural sources has a promising role in drug discovery specifically in the area of antiangiogenic chemotherapeutics. Symbiotic actinomycetes from marine origin proved to be potent and valuable sources of antiangiogenic compounds. Zebrafish represent a well-established model for small molecular screening and employed to study tumour angiogenesis over the last decade. Use of zebrafish has increased in the laboratory due to its various advantages like rapid embryo development, optically transparent embryos, large clutch size of embryos and most importantly high genetic conservation comparable to humans. Zebrafish also shares similar physiopathology of tumour angiogenesis with humans and with these advantages, zebrafish has become a popular model in the past decade to study on angiogenesis related disorders like diabetic retinopathy and cancer. This review focuses on the importance of antiangiogenic compounds from marine actinomycetes and utility of zebrafish in cancer angiogenesis research.
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27
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van Dijk RM, Koska I, Bleich A, Tolba R, Seiffert I, Möller C, Di Liberto V, Talbot SR, Potschka H. Design of composite measure schemes for comparative severity assessment in animal-based neuroscience research: A case study focussed on rat epilepsy models. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230141. [PMID: 32413036 PMCID: PMC7228039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparative severity assessment of animal models and experimental interventions is of utmost relevance for harm-benefit analysis during ethical evaluation, an animal welfare-based model prioritization as well as the validation of refinement measures. Unfortunately, there is a lack of evidence-based approaches to grade an animal's burden in a sensitive, robust, precise, and objective manner. Particular challenges need to be considered in the context of animal-based neuroscientific research because models of neurological disorders can be characterized by relevant changes in the affective state of an animal. Here, we report about an approach for parameter selection and development of a composite measure scheme designed for precise analysis of the distress of animals in a specific model category. Data sets from the analysis of several behavioral and biochemical parameters in three different epilepsy models were subjected to a principal component analysis to select the most informative parameters. The top-ranking parameters included burrowing, open field locomotion, social interaction, and saccharin preference. These were combined to create a composite measure scheme (CMS). CMS data were subjected to cluster analysis enabling the allocation of severity levels to individual animals. The results provided information for a direct comparison between models indicating a comparable severity of the electrical and chemical post-status epilepticus models, and a lower severity of the kindling model. The new CMS can be directly applied for comparison of other rat models with seizure activity or for assessment of novel refinement approaches in the respective research field. The respective online tool for direct application of the CMS or for creating a new CMS based on other parameters from different models is available at https://github.com/mytalbot/cms. However, the robustness and generalizability needs to be further assessed in future studies. More importantly, our concept of parameter selection can serve as a practice example providing the basis for comparable approaches applicable to the development and validation of CMS for all kinds of disease models or interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roelof Maarten van Dijk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Ines Koska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andre Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rene Tolba
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Isabel Seiffert
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Möller
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Steven Roger Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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Jefferys JGR, Ashby‐Lumsden A, Lovick TA. Cardiac effects of repeated focal seizures in rats induced by intrahippocampal tetanus toxin: Bradyarrhythmias, tachycardias, and prolonged interictal QT interval. Epilepsia 2020; 61:798-809. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.16479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John G. R. Jefferys
- Department of Pharmacology Oxford University Oxford UK
- School of Clinical & Experimental Medicine The University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
- School of Biomedical Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana
- Department of Physiology 2nd Medical School Motol, Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Alexander Ashby‐Lumsden
- Department of Pharmacology Oxford University Oxford UK
- School of Clinical & Experimental Medicine The University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
| | - Thelma A. Lovick
- School of Biomedical Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience The University of Bristol Bristol UK
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Arshad MN, Naegele JR. Induction of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Mice with Pilocarpine. Bio Protoc 2020; 10:e3533. [PMID: 33654757 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in rodents, systemic injections of pilocarpine induce continuous, prolonged limbic seizures, a condition termed "Status Epilepticus" (SE). With appropriate doses, many inbred strains of mice show behavioral seizures within an hour after pilocarpine is injected. With the behavioral scoring system based on a modification of the original Racine scale, one can monitor the seizures behaviorally, as they develop into more prolonged seizures and SE. SE is typically associated with damage to subsets of hippocampal neurons and other structural changes in the hippocampus and generally subsides on its own. However, more precise control of the duration of SE is commonly achieved by injecting a benzodiazepine into the mouse 1 to 3 h after the onset of SE to suppress the seizures. Several days following pilocarpine-induced SE, electrographic and behavioral seizures begin to occur spontaneously. The goal of this protocol is to reliably generate mice that develop spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) and show the typical neuropathological changes in the brain characteristic of severe human mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), without high mortality. To reduce mortality, multiple subthreshold injections of pilocarpine are administered, which increases the percentage of mice developing SE without concomitant mortality. Precise control of the duration of SE (1 or 3 h) is achieved by suppressing SE with the benzodiazepine Midazolam (Versed). We have found that this protocol is an efficient means for generating mice that subsequently develop characteristics of human mTLE including high-frequency interictal spike and wave activity and SRS. In addition, we and others have shown that this protocol produces mice that show excitotoxic cell death of subsets of hippocampal GABAergic interneurons, particularly in the dentate gyrus and compensatory sprouting of excitatory projections from dentate granule cells (mossy fiber sprouting). Aspects of this protocol have been described in several of our previous publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nauman Arshad
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, 06459, USA
| | - Janice R Naegele
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, 06459, USA
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30
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Kendrick J, Stow R, Ibbotson N, Adjin-Tettey G, Murphy B, Bailey G, Miller J, Helleberg H, Finderup Grove M, Øvlisen K, Hansen JJ. A novel welfare and scientific approach to conducting dog metabolism studies allowing dogs to be pair housed. Lab Anim 2020; 54:588-598. [PMID: 32063096 DOI: 10.1177/0023677220905330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metabolism cages are designed to conduct absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) studies, enabling an 'excretion balance' scientific objective to be met. Historically, the design of dog metabolism cages has involved single housing. This type of housing has limitations for normal social behaviours and has been largely unchanged for 25-30 years. Improving animal welfare is a focus area for the authorities as well as the industry throughout the European Union. A collaboration was developed between Novo Nordisk and Covance to enhance the design of metabolism cages, allowing dogs to be pair housed. The purpose of the study was to compare excretion balance data from pair-housed and singly housed dogs in order to demonstrate that conducting excretion balance studies with a pair-housing design improves animal welfare without compromising the scientific integrity of the study. A radiolabelled test compound, [14C]-Quetiapine, was selected for this investigation based on its excretion profile. The assessment of the dogs' stress levels was investigated by measuring the levels of serum cortisol as an indicative biomarker. Results were inconclusive due to large variations in cortisol levels. However, dogs appeared calmer in the pair-housing setting. The overall mean recovery (±standard deviation) for pair-housed animals (94.0 ± 0.66% of the dose) was equivalent to that from singly housed dogs (93.0 ± 2.29%). Based on these data, we conclude that pair housing of dogs for future metabolism ADME studies does not compromise the scientific integrity, and therefore is a major progression in the design of these studies, enhancing welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Stow
- Covance Laboratories Ltd, North Yorkshire, UK
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31
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Breidenbach L, Hempel K, Mittelstadt SW, Lynch JJ. Refinement of the rodent pentylenetetrazole proconvulsion assay, which is a good predictor of convulsions in repeat-dose toxicology studies. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2020; 101:106653. [PMID: 31730935 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2019.106653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure assay in rodents is an established method for investigating drug-induced alterations in seizure threshold such as proconvulsant effects. The standard procedure in our laboratory was to administer the test item prior to 75-120 mg/kg subcutaneous PTZ. However, this dose range is associated with a high incidence of mortality, including approximately 40% or greater deaths of control animals. METHODS The predictivity of the PTZ-induced seizure assay was retrospectively evaluated by relating drug plasma levels associated with proconvulsant effects to exposures observed during convulsions in repeat-dose toxicology studies. Margins to estimated efficacious doses were also considered. To investigate potential refinements, a high PTZ dose (80 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was compared to two lower doses (40 and 60 mg/kg), and a range of doses of theophylline was orally administered as positive control. RESULTS The PTZ-induced proconvulsion assay proved to be a good predictor of convulsions in toxicology studies. In the refinement study, theophylline potentiated PTZ-induced seizures over all doses tested. At 60 mg/kg PTZ, the proconvulsant dose-dependency of theophylline was best observed. At both 40 and 60 mg/kg PTZ, mortality in control animals was significantly reduced. DISCUSSION Risk assessment at an early stage of drug development supports candidate selection and, along that approach, the PTZ proconvulsion assay was proven to be a good predictor of convulsions in subsequent toxicology studies. It was also demonstrated that a relatively lower PTZ dose (60 mg/kg) improved the dose-response-curve of the positive control tested, decreased mortality overall and, therefore, contributes to refining this standard procedure for CNS safety evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Breidenbach
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstraße, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany.
| | - Katja Hempel
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstraße, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | | | - James J Lynch
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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Turner PV, Pang DS, Lofgren JL. A Review of Pain Assessment Methods in Laboratory Rodents. Comp Med 2019; 69:451-467. [PMID: 31896391 PMCID: PMC6935698 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-19-000042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Ensuring that laboratory rodent pain is well managed underpins the ethical acceptability of working with these animals in research. Appropriate treatment of pain in laboratory rodents requires accurate assessments of the presence or absence of pain to the extent possible. This can be challenging some situations because laboratory rodents are prey species that may show subtle signs of pain. Although a number of standard algesiometry assays have been used to assess evoked pain responses in rodents for many decades, these methods likely represent an oversimplification of pain assessment and many require animal handling during testing, which can result in stress-induced analgesia. More recent pain assessment methods, such as the use of ethograms, facial grimace scoring, burrowing, and nest-building, focus on evaluating changes in spontaneous behaviors or activities of rodents in their home environments. Many of these assessment methods are time-consuming to conduct. While many of these newer tests show promise for providing a more accurate assessment of pain, most require more study to determine their reliability and sensitivity across a broad range of experimental conditions, as well as between species and strains of animals. Regular observation of laboratory rodents before and after painful procedures with consistent use of 2 or more assessment methods is likely to improve pain detection and lead to improved treatment and care-a primary goal for improving overall animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia V Turner
- Charles River, Wilmington , Massachusetts Dept of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada;,
| | - Daniel Sj Pang
- Dept of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Quebec, J2S 2M2, Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Copmans D, Kildgaard S, Rasmussen SA, Ślęzak M, Dirkx N, Partoens M, Esguerra CV, Crawford AD, Larsen TO, de Witte PAM. Zebrafish-Based Discovery of Antiseizure Compounds from the North Sea: Isoquinoline Alkaloids TMC-120A and TMC-120B. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17110607. [PMID: 31731399 PMCID: PMC6891649 DOI: 10.3390/md17110607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a high need for the development of new and improved antiseizure drugs (ASDs) to treat epilepsy. Despite the potential of marine natural products (MNPs), the EU marine biodiscovery consortium PharmaSea has made the only effort to date to perform ASD discovery based on large-scale screening of MNPs. To this end, the embryonic zebrafish photomotor response assay and the larval zebrafish pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model were used to screen MNP extracts for neuroactivity and antiseizure activity, respectively. Here we report the identification of the two known isoquinoline alkaloids TMC-120A and TMC-120B as novel antiseizure compounds, which were isolated by bioactivity-guided purification from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus insuetus. TMC-120A and TMC-120B were observed to significantly lower PTZ-induced seizures and epileptiform brain activity in the larval zebrafish PTZ seizure model. In addition, their structural analogues TMC-120C, penicisochroman G, and ustusorane B were isolated and also significantly lowered PTZ-induced seizures. Finally, TMC-120A and TMC-120B were investigated in a mouse model of drug-resistant focal seizures. Compound treatment significantly shortened the seizure duration, thereby confirming their antiseizure activity. These data underscore the possibility to translate findings in zebrafish to mice in the field of epilepsy and the potential of the marine environment for ASD discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Copmans
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Sara Kildgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (S.A.R.)
| | - Silas A. Rasmussen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (S.A.R.)
| | - Monika Ślęzak
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Nina Dirkx
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Michèle Partoens
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Camila V. Esguerra
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
- Current affiliation: Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexander D. Crawford
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
- Current affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Thomas O. Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (S.A.R.)
- Correspondence: (T.O.L.); (P.A.M.-d.W.); Tel.: +45-4525-2632 (T.O.L.); +32-16-32-34-32 (P.A.M.-d.W.)
| | - Peter A. M. de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
- Correspondence: (T.O.L.); (P.A.M.-d.W.); Tel.: +45-4525-2632 (T.O.L.); +32-16-32-34-32 (P.A.M.-d.W.)
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Carver CM, Hastings SD, Cook ME, Shapiro MS. Functional responses of the hippocampus to hyperexcitability depend on directed, neuron-specific KCNQ2 K + channel plasticity. Hippocampus 2019; 30:435-455. [PMID: 31621989 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
M-type (KCNQ2/3) K+ channels play dominant roles in regulation of active and passive neuronal discharge properties such as resting membrane potential, spike-frequency adaptation, and hyper-excitatory states. However, plasticity of M-channel expression and function in nongenetic forms of epileptogenesis are still not well understood. Using transgenic mice with an EGFP reporter to detect expression maps of KCNQ2 mRNA, we assayed hyperexcitability-induced alterations in KCNQ2 transcription across subregions of the hippocampus. Pilocarpine and pentylenetetrazol chemoconvulsant models of seizure induction were used, and brain tissue examined 48 hr later. We observed increases in KCNQ2 mRNA in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons after chemoconvulsant-induced hyperexcitability at 48 hr, but no significant change was observed in dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells. Using chromogenic in situ hybridization assays, changes to KCNQ3 transcription were not detected after hyper-excitation challenge, but the results for KCNQ2 paralleled those using the KCNQ2-mRNA reporter mice. In mice 7 days after pilocarpine challenge, levels of KCNQ2 mRNA were similar in all regions to those from control mice. In brain-slice electrophysiology recordings, CA1 pyramidal neurons demonstrated increased M-current amplitudes 48 hr after hyperexcitability; however, there were no significant changes to DG granule cell M-current amplitude. Traumatic brain injury induced significantly greater KCNQ2 expression in the hippocampal hemisphere that was ipsilateral to the trauma. In vivo, after a secondary challenge with subconvulsant dose of pentylenetetrazole, control mice were susceptible to tonic-clonic seizures, whereas mice administered the M-channel opener retigabine were protected from such seizures. This study demonstrates that increased excitatory activity promotes KCNQ2 upregulation in the hippocampus in a cell-type specific manner. Such novel ion channel expressional plasticity may serve as a compensatory mechanism after a hyperexcitable event, at least in the short term. The upregulation described could be potentially leveraged in anticonvulsant enhancement of KCNQ2 channels as therapeutic target for preventing onset of epileptogenic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chase M Carver
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Shayne D Hastings
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Mileah E Cook
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Mark S Shapiro
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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35
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Löscher W. Consequences of housing conditions and interindividual diversity in rodent models of acquired epilepsy. Epilepsia 2019; 60:2016-2019. [PMID: 31584191 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
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36
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Koska I, van Dijk RM, Seiffert I, Di Liberto V, Möller C, Palme R, Hellweg R, Potschka H. Toward evidence-based severity assessment in rat models with repeated seizures: II. Chemical post-status epilepticus model. Epilepsia 2019; 60:2114-2127. [PMID: 31471910 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Considering the complexity of neuronal circuits and their epilepsy-associated alterations, epilepsy models cannot be completely replaced by in vitro experimental approaches. Decisions about ethical approval of in vivo studies require a thorough weighing of the animal's burden and the benefit regarding the expected gain in knowledge. METHODS Based on combined behavioral, biochemical, and physiological analyses, we assessed the impact on animal well-being and condition in different phases of the pilocarpine post-status epilepticus (SE) model in rats. RESULTS As a consequence of SE, increased levels of impairment were evident in the early postinsult phase and late chronic phase, whereas only mild impairment was observed in the interim phase. Parameters that stood out as sensitive indicators of animal distress include burrowing, which proved to be affected throughout all experimental phases, saccharin preference, fecal corticosterone metabolites, heart rate, and heart rate variability. SIGNIFICANCE The cumulative burden with temporary but not long-lasting phases of more pronounced impairment suggests a classification of severe as a basis for laboratory-specific prospective and retrospective evaluation. Among the parameters analyzed, burrowing behavior and saccharin preference stand out as candidate parameters that seem to be well suited to obtain information about animal distress in epileptogenesis models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Koska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Roelof Maarten van Dijk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Isabel Seiffert
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Christina Möller
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Hellweg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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37
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Effects of Single Cage Housing on Stress, Cognitive, and Seizure Parameters in the Rat and Mouse Pilocarpine Models of Epilepsy. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0179-18.2019. [PMID: 31331937 PMCID: PMC6709207 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0179-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many experimental approaches require housing rodents in individual cages, including in epilepsy research. However, rats and mice are social animals; and individual housing constitutes a stressful situation. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of individual housing as compared to conditions maintaining social contact on stress markers and epilepsy. Control male mice socially housed during pretest and then transferred to individual cages for six weeks displayed anhedonia, increased anxiety and biological markers of stress as compared to pretest values or mice kept socially housed during six weeks. Pilocarpine (pilo)-treated mice housed together showed increased levels of anhedonia, anxiety and stress markers as well as decreased cognitive performance as compared to the control group. The differences were more significant in pilo-treated mice housed individually. Anxiety correlated linearly with cognitive performance and stress markers independently of the experimental conditions. In the male rat pilo model, seizures were sixteen times more frequent in singly housed animals as compared to animals kept in pairs. Daily interactions with an experimenter in otherwise singly housed animals was sufficient to produce results identical to those found in animals kept in pairs. We propose that social isolation produces a severe phenotype in terms of stress and seizure frequency as compared to animals maintaining social contact (at least in these two models), a factor that needs to be taken into account for data interpretation, in particular for preclinical studies.
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Di Maio R, Colangeli R, Di Giovanni G. WIN 55,212-2 Reverted Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus Early Changes of the Interaction among 5-HT 2C/NMDA/CB 1 Receptors in the Rat Hippocampus. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3296-3306. [PMID: 30912644 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis for temporal lobe epileptogenesis remains poorly defined. Recent evidence shows that serotonin 2C receptors (5-HT2CRs), NR2A and NR2B subunit-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1Rs) may be involved in the progression of the epileptic disorders. Moreover, CB1R activation has been reported to modulate the activity of 5-HT2C and NMDA receptors. Here, we treated Sprague-Dawley rats with the pro-convulsant agent pilocarpine (PILO) to induce status epilepticus (SE) in order to study the effect, with regards to receptor signaling and their interactions, of the preactivation of the CB1Rs on early changes that occur 24 h from the initial insult in the hippocampus. Pretreatment with the synthetic CB1/2R agonist WIN 55,212-2 (2 mg/kg, ip) counteracted PILO-induced 5-HT2CR downregulation. Moreover, WIN 55,212-2 uncoupled PILO-induced 5-HT2CR/NR2A and prevented NR2ATyr1325 phosphorylation indirectly since no 5-HT2CR/CB1R interactions were observed. WIN 55,212-2 treatment also prevented PILO-mediated impairment of CB1R/NR2B interactions and NR2B subunit internalization, suggesting a possible role of CB1R in NR2B-containing NMDAR turn over. All the effects observed in animals treated with WIN 55,212-2 were blocked by pretreatment with the selective CB1R antagonist AM251 (1 mg/kg, ip) given 45 min before PILO injection. These results, obtained in vivo in post-PILO-induced SE, provide new insights on the early cellular responses during epileptogenesis and identify new CB1R-mediated mechanisms by which cannabinoids may prevent the development of chronic epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Di Maio
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Roberto Colangeli
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, U.K
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Seiffert I, van Dijk RM, Koska I, Di Liberto V, Möller C, Palme R, Hellweg R, Potschka H. Toward evidence-based severity assessment in rat models with repeated seizures: III. Electrical post-status epilepticus model. Epilepsia 2019; 60:1539-1551. [PMID: 31247135 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ethical approval of experiments in chronic epilepsy models requires a careful balancing of the expected gain-in-knowledge with the level of distress. Thus recommendations for evidence-based severity assessment and classification are urgently needed for preclinical epilepsy research. METHODS Therefore, we have completed a comprehensive analysis of alterations in behavioral, biochemical, and physiological parameters in a rat electrical post-status epilepticus model. Selected parameters were repeatedly analyzed during different experimental phases to obtain information about the level of distress throughout the course of the model. RESULTS Behavioral patterns comprised an increase in activity along with a reduction in risk assessment behavior, active social interaction, saccharin preference as well as nonessential, but evolutionary-determined behavior such as nest building and burrowing. Among the biochemical parameters, fecal corticosterone metabolites proved to be increased in different phases of the experiment. In the early post-insult phase, this increase was reflected by elevated serum corticosterone concentrations. Telemetric recordings demonstrated increases in home cage activity and heart rate in selected experimental phases but argued against relevant changes in heart rate variability. Comparison between animals with tethered or telemetric recordings including a principal component analysis revealed differences between both groups. SIGNIFICANCE The present findings further confirm that burrowing behavior and saccharin preference might serve as valid parameters for severity assessment in chronic epilepsy models. Considering the course of alterations providing evidence for a more pronounced level of distress in the early phase following status epilepticus (SE), we suggest a classification of the electrical post-SE model as severe. This suggestion may serve as a guidance for laboratory-specific evaluations. Comparison between data from animals with tethered and telemetric recordings indicated an impact of the mode of recordings. However, further research is necessary to analyze the validity of telemetry as a putative refinement measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Seiffert
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Roelof Maarten van Dijk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ines Koska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Christina Möller
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Hellweg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Noè F, Cattalini A, Vila Verde D, Alessi C, Colciaghi F, Figini M, Zucca I, de Curtis M. Epileptiform activity contralateral to unilateral hippocampal sclerosis does not cause the expression of brain damage markers. Epilepsia 2019; 60:1184-1199. [PMID: 31111475 DOI: 10.1111/epi.15611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with epilepsy often ask if recurrent seizures harm their brain and aggravate their epileptic condition. This crucial question has not been specifically addressed by dedicated experiments. We analyze here if intense bilateral seizure activity induced by local injection of kainic acid (KA) in the right hippocampus produces brain damage in the left hippocampus. METHODS Adult guinea pigs were bilaterally implanted with hippocampal electrodes for continuous video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. Unilateral injection of 1 μg KA in the dorsal CA1 area induced nonconvulsive status epilepticus (ncSE) characterized by bilateral hippocampal seizure discharges. This treatment resulted in selective unilateral sclerosis of the KA-injected hippocampus. Three days after KA injection, the animals were killed, and the brains were submitted to ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were processed for immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS During ncSE, epileptiform activity was recorded for 27.6 ± 19.1 hours in both the KA-injected and contralateral hippocampi. Enhanced T1-weighted MR signal due to gadolinium deposition, mean diffusivity reduction, neuronal loss, gliosis, and blood-brain barrier permeability changes was observed exclusively in the KA-injected hippocampus. Despite the presence of a clear unilateral hippocampal sclerosis at the site of KA injection, no structural alterations were detected by MR and immunostaining analysis performed in the hippocampus contralateral to KA injection 3 days and 2 months after ncSE induction. Fluoro-Jade and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining at the same time points confirmed the absence of degenerating cells in the hippocampi contralateral to KA injection. SIGNIFICANCE We demonstrate that intense epileptiform activity during ncSE does not cause obvious brain damage in the hippocampus contralateral to unilateral hippocampal KA injection. These findings argue against the hypothesis that epileptiform activity per se contributes to focal brain injury in previously undamaged cortical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Noè
- Epilepsy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Diogo Vila Verde
- Epilepsy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Alessi
- Epilepsy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Colciaghi
- Epilepsy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Figini
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Ileana Zucca
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco de Curtis
- Epilepsy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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Saletti PG, Ali I, Casillas-Espinosa PM, Semple BD, Lisgaras CP, Moshé SL, Galanopoulou AS. In search of antiepileptogenic treatments for post-traumatic epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 123:86-99. [PMID: 29936231 PMCID: PMC6309524 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is diagnosed in 20% of individuals with acquired epilepsy, and can impact significantly the quality of life due to the seizures and other functional or cognitive and behavioral outcomes of the traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTE. There is no available antiepileptogenic or disease modifying treatment for PTE. Animal models of TBI and PTE have been developed, offering useful insights on the value of inflammatory, neurodegenerative pathways, hemorrhages and iron accumulation, calcium channels and other target pathways that could be used for treatment development. Most of the existing preclinical studies test efficacy towards pathologies of functional recovery after TBI, while a few studies are emerging testing the effects towards induced or spontaneous seizures. Here we review the existing preclinical trials testing new candidate treatments for TBI sequelae and PTE, and discuss future directions for efforts aiming at developing antiepileptogenic and disease-modifying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia G Saletti
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Idrish Ali
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pablo M Casillas-Espinosa
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bridgette D Semple
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christos Panagiotis Lisgaras
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Solomon L Moshé
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Einstein/Montefiore Epilepsy Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Einstein/Montefiore Epilepsy Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Aristea S Galanopoulou
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Einstein/Montefiore Epilepsy Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Möller C, van Dijk RM, Wolf F, Keck M, Schönhoff K, Bierling V, Potschka H. Impact of repeated kindled seizures on heart rate rhythms, heart rate variability, and locomotor activity in rats. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 92:36-44. [PMID: 30611006 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Although an impact of epilepsy on circadian rhythmicity is well-recognized, there are profound gaps in our understanding of the influence of seizures on diurnal rhythms. The effect on activity levels and heart rate is of particular interest as it might contribute to the disease burden. The kindling model with telemetric transmitter implants provides excellent opportunities to study the consequences of focal and generalized seizures under standardized conditions. Data from kindled rats with generalized seizures revealed an increase in activity and heart rate during the resting phase. Total and short-term heart rate variabilities were not affected by electrode implantation or seizure induction. Ictal alterations in heart rate associated with generalized seizures were characterized by a biphasic bradycardia with an immediate drop of heart rate followed by a transient normalization and a second more steady decrease. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that once daily generalized seizures can exert significant effects on heart rate rhythms. Respective alterations in patients would be of relevance for patient counselling and therapeutic management. Occurrence of biphasic bradycardia associated with seizure induction suggests that the kindling model is suitable to study the consequences and the prevention of ictal bradycardia, which may pose patients at risk for sudden unexpected death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Möller
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Roelof Maarten van Dijk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Fabio Wolf
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Keck
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Schönhoff
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Vera Bierling
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany.
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Welzel L, Twele F, Schidlitzki A, Töllner K, Klein P, Löscher W. Network pharmacology for antiepileptogenesis: Tolerability and neuroprotective effects of novel multitargeted combination treatments in nonepileptic vs. post-status epilepticus mice. Epilepsy Res 2019; 151:48-66. [PMID: 30831337 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Network-based approaches in drug discovery comprise both development of novel drugs interacting with multiple targets and repositioning of drugs with known targets to form novel drug combinations that interact with cellular or molecular networks whose function is disturbed in a disease. Epilepsy is a complex network phenomenon that, as yet, cannot be prevented or cured. We recently proposed multitargeted, network-based approaches to prevent epileptogenesis by combinations of clinically available drugs chosen to impact diverse epileptogenic processes. In order to test this strategy preclinically, we developed a multiphase sequential study design for evaluating such drug combinations in rodents, derived from human clinical drug development phases. Because pharmacokinetics of such drugs are known, only the tolerability of novel drug combinations needs to be evaluated in Phase I in öhealthy" controls. In Phase IIa, tolerability is assessed following an epileptogenic brain insult, followed by antiepileptogenic efficacy testing in Phase IIb. Here, we report Phase I and Phase IIa evaluation of 7 new drug combinations in mice, using 10 drugs (levetiracetam, topiramate, gabapentin, deferoxamine, fingolimod, ceftriaxone, α-tocopherol, melatonin, celecoxib, atorvastatin) with diverse mechanisms thought to be important in epileptogenesis. Six of the 7 drug combinations were well tolerated in mice during prolonged treatment at the selected doses in both controls and during the latent phase following status epilepticus induced by intrahippocampal kainate. However, none of the combinations prevented hippocampal damage in response to kainate, most likely because treatment started only 16-18 h after kainate. This suggests that antiepileptogenic or disease-modifying treatment may need to start earlier after the brain insult. The present data provide a rich collection of tolerable, network-based combinatorial therapies as a basis for antiepileptogenic or disease-modifying efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Welzel
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Friederike Twele
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alina Schidlitzki
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Töllner
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Pavel Klein
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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Colangeli R, Di Maio R, Pierucci M, Deidda G, Casarrubea M, Di Giovanni G. Synergistic action of CB 1 and 5-HT 2B receptors in preventing pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in rats. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 125:135-145. [PMID: 30716469 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) and serotonin (5-HT) play a neuromodulatory role in the central nervous system. Both eCBs and 5-HT regulate neuronal excitability and their pharmacological potentiation has been shown to control seizures in pre-clinical and human studies. Compelling evidence indicates that eCB and 5-HT systems interact to modulate several physiological and pathological brain functions, such as food intake, pain, drug addiction, depression, and anxiety. Nevertheless, there is no evidence of an eCB/5-HT interaction in experimental and human epilepsies, including status epilepticus (SE). Here, we performed video-EEG recording in behaving rats treated with the pro-convulsant agent pilocarpine (PILO), in order to study the effect of the activation of CB1/5-HT2 receptors and their interaction on SE. Synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 (WIN) decreased behavioral seizure severity of PILO-induced SE at 2 mg/kg (but not at 1 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.), while 5-HT2B/2C receptor agonist RO60-0175 (RO; 1, 3, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) was devoid of any effect. RO 3 mg/kg was instead capable of potentiating the effect of WIN 2 mg/kg on the Racine scale score. Surprisingly, neither WIN 2 mg/kg nor RO 3 mg/kg had any effect on the incidence and the intensity of EEG seizures when administered alone. However, WIN+RO co-administration reduced the incidence and the severity of EEG SE and increased the latency to SE onset after PILO injection. WIN+RO effects were blocked by the selective CB1R antagonist AM251 and the 5-HT2BR antagonist RS127445, but not by the 5-HT2CR antagonist SB242084 or the 5-HT2AR antagonist MDL11,939. These data revealed a synergistic interaction between CB1R/5-HT2BR in the expression of PILO-induced SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Colangeli
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
| | - Roberto Di Maio
- Pittsburgh Inst. for Neurodegenerative Dis., Dept. of Neurology, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Massimo Pierucci
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Gabriele Deidda
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Maurizio Casarrubea
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Human Physiology Section "Giuseppe Pagano", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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Long-Term, Targeted Delivery of GDNF from Encapsulated Cells Is Neuroprotective and Reduces Seizures in the Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy. J Neurosci 2019; 39:2144-2156. [PMID: 30665947 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0435-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors are candidates for treating epilepsy, but their development has been hampered by difficulties in achieving stable and targeted delivery of efficacious concentrations within the desired brain region. We have developed an encapsulated cell technology that overcomes these obstacles by providing a targeted, continuous, de novo synthesized source of high levels of neurotrophic molecules from human clonal ARPE-19 cells encapsulated into hollow fiber membranes. Here we illustrate the potential of this approach for delivering glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) directly to the hippocampus of epileptic rats. In vivo studies demonstrated that bilateral intrahippocampal implants continued to secrete GDNF that produced high hippocampal GDNF tissue levels in a long-term manner. Identical implants robustly reduced seizure frequency in the pilocarpine model. Seizures were reduced rapidly, and this effect increased in magnitude over 3 months, ultimately leading to a reduction of seizures by 93%. This effect persisted even after device removal, suggesting potential disease-modifying benefits. Importantly, seizure reduction was associated with normalized changes in anxiety and improved cognitive performance. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the neurological benefits of GDNF were associated with the normalization of anatomical alterations accompanying chronic epilepsy, including hippocampal atrophy, cell degeneration, loss of parvalbumin-positive interneurons, and abnormal neurogenesis. These effects were associated with the activation of GDNF receptors. All in all, these results support the concept that the implantation of encapsulated GDNF-secreting cells can deliver GDNF in a sustained, targeted, and efficacious manner, paving the way for continuing preclinical evaluation and eventual clinical translation of this approach for epilepsy.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting millions of individuals of all ages. These patients experience debilitating seizures that frequently increase over time and can associate with significant cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders that are generally poorly controlled by pharmacotherapy. We have developed a clinically validated, implantable cell encapsulation system that delivers high and consistent levels of GDNF directly to the brain. In epileptic animals, this system produced a progressive and permanent reduction (>90%) in seizure frequency. These benefits were accompanied by improvements in cognitive and anxiolytic behavior and the normalization of changes in CNS anatomy that underlie chronic epilepsy. Together, these data suggest a novel means of tackling the frequently intractable neurological consequences of this devastating disorder.
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Herrmann K, Flecknell P. The Application of Humane Endpoints and Humane Killing Methods in Animal Research Proposals: A Retrospective Review. Altern Lab Anim 2018; 46:317-333. [DOI: 10.1177/026119291804600606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Refinement refers to the use of methods that help to minimise animal suffering in the laboratory. Research in this area has increased significantly over the past two decades. However, the extent to which refinements are applied in practice is uncertain. To provide an indication of the implementation and awareness of refinements, we reviewed the experimental techniques for 684 surgical interventions described in 506 animal research applications sent to the German competent authorities for approval in 2010. In this paper, we describe and discuss the appropriateness of the proposed humane endpoints and killing methods. We found that, when the investigators included humane endpoints in their application, these were often lacking in detail and/or were to be implemented at a late stage of suffering. In addition, the choice of method to kill the animals could be improved in the majority of the applications. We provide recommendations for future improvements, based on the recent literature. To ensure scientific rigour, avoid needless animal suffering and enable an accurate harm–benefit analysis, animal researchers have to be knowledgeable about refinement methods and apply them effectively. To assess compliance and ensure that only those studies in which potential benefits outweigh the harms are carried out, reviews such as ours — as well as retrospective assessments of actual harms and benefits — should be conducted widely and regularly, and the findings should be published.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Herrmann
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Flecknell
- Newcastle University, The Medical School, Comparative Biology Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Abstract
The types of changes in physical appearance and behavior that occur in elderly people similarly develop in elderly animals. Signs and symptoms that might cause concern in younger people or mice may be normal in their elderly but generally healthy counterparts. Although numerous scoring methods have been developed to assess rodent health, these systems were often designed for young adults used in specific types of research, such as cancer or neurologic studies, and therefore may be suboptimal for assessing aging rodents. Approaches known as frailty assessments provide a global evaluation of the health of aged mice, rats, and people, and mouse frailty scores correlate well with the likelihood of death. Complementing frailty assessment, prediction of imminent death in aged mice can often be accomplished by focusing on 2 objective parameters-body weight and temperature. Before they die, many (but not all) mice develop marked reductions in body weight and temperature, thus providing signs that close monitoring, intervention, or preemptive euthanasia may be necessary. Timely preemptive euthanasia allows antemortem collection of data and samples that would be lost if spontaneous death occurred; preemptive euthanasia also limits terminal suffering. These approaches to monitoring declining health and predicting death in elderly research mice can aid in establishing and implementing timely interventions that both benefit the research and reduce antemortem suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda A Toth
- Emeritus Faculty, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, USA.
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Ono T, Wagenaar J, Giorgi FS, Fabera P, Hanaya R, Jefferys J, Moyer JT, Harte‐Hargrove LC, Galanopoulou AS. A companion to the preclinical common data elements and case report forms for rodent EEG studies. A report of the TASK3 EEG Working Group of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force. Epilepsia Open 2018; 3:90-103. [PMID: 30450486 PMCID: PMC6210053 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Electroencephalography (EEG) is commonly used in epilepsy and neuroscience research to study brain activity. The principles of EEG recording such as signal acquisition, digitization, and conditioning share similarities between animal and clinical EEG systems. In contrast, preclinical EEG studies demonstrate more variability and diversity than clinical studies in the types and locations of EEG electrodes, methods of data analysis, and scoring of EEG patterns and associated behaviors. The TASK3 EEG working group of the International League Against Epilepsy/American Epilepsy Society (ILAE/AES) Joint Translational Task Force has developed a set of preclinical common data elements (CDEs) and case report forms (CRFs) for recording, analysis, and scoring of animal EEG studies. This companion document accompanies the first set of proposed preclinical EEG CRFs and is intended to clarify the CDEs included in these worksheets. We provide 7 CRF and accompanying CDE modules for use by the research community, covering video acquisition, electrode information, experimental scheduling, and scoring of EEG activity. For ease of use, all data elements and input ranges are defined in supporting Excel charts (Appendix S1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Ono
- Department of NeurosurgeryEpilepsy CenterNational Nagasaki, Medical CenterOmuraNagasakiJapan
| | - Joost Wagenaar
- Department of NeurologyCenter for Neuroengineering and TherapeuticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaU.S.A
| | - Filippo S. Giorgi
- Neurology UnitEpilepsy Center University HospitalUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - Petr Fabera
- Department of Developmental EpileptologyInstitute of PhysiologyCzech Academy of SciencesDepartment of NeurologySecond Faculty of MedicineCharles University and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | - Ryosuke Hanaya
- Department of Neurosurgery and Epilepsy CenterKagoshima University HospitalKagoshimaJapan
| | - John Jefferys
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Jason T. Moyer
- Department of NeurologyCenter for Neuroengineering and TherapeuticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaU.S.A
| | | | - Aristea S. Galanopoulou
- Laboratory of Developmental EpilepsyIsabelle Rapin Division of Child NeurologySaul R. Korey Department of NeurologyDominick P. Purpura Department of NeuroscienceAlbert Einstein College of MedicineMontefiore/Einstein Epilepsy CenterBronxNew YorkU.S.A
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van Dijk RM, Di Liberto V, Brendel M, Waldron AM, Möller C, Gildehaus FJ, von Ungern-Sternberg B, Lindner M, Ziegler S, Hellweg R, Gass P, Bartenstein P, Potschka H. Imaging biomarkers of behavioral impairments: A pilot micro-positron emission tomographic study in a rat electrical post-status epilepticus model. Epilepsia 2018; 59:2194-2205. [PMID: 30370531 DOI: 10.1111/epi.14586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In patients with epilepsy, psychiatric comorbidities can significantly affect the disease course and quality of life. Detecting and recognizing these comorbidities is central in determining an optimal treatment plan. One promising tool in detecting biomarkers for psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy is positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS Behavioral and biochemical variables were cross-correlated with the results from two μPET scans using the tracers [18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18 F]FDG) and 2'-methoxyphenyl-(N-2'-pyridinyl)-p-18 F-fluoro-benzamidoethylpiperazine ([18 F]MPPF) to explore potential biomarkers for neurobehavioral comorbidities in an electrically induced post-status epilepticus rat model of epilepsy. RESULTS In rats with epilepsy, μPET analysis revealed a local reduction in hippocampal [18 F]FDG uptake, and a local increase in [18 F]MPPF binding. These changes exhibited a correlation with burrowing as a "luxury" behavior, social interaction, and anxiety-associated behavioral patterns. Interestingly, hippocampal [18 F]FDG uptake did not correlate with spontaneous recurrent seizure activity. SIGNIFICANCE In the electrically induced post-status epilepticus rat model, we demonstrated hippocampal hypometabolism and its correlation with a range of neurobehavioral alterations. These findings require further confirmation in other preclinical models and patients with epilepsy and psychiatric disorders to address the value of [18 F]FDG uptake as an imaging biomarker candidate for psychiatric comorbidities in patients as well as for severity assessment in rodent epilepsy models.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Maarten van Dijk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ann Marie Waldron
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Möller
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Franz Josef Gildehaus
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Barbara von Ungern-Sternberg
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Magdalena Lindner
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sibylle Ziegler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer Hellweg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Peter Bartenstein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Gorter JA, van Vliet EA, Dedeurwaerdere S, Buchanan GF, Friedman D, Borges K, Grabenstatter H, Lukasiuk K, Scharfman HE, Nehlig A. A companion to the preclinical common data elements for physiologic data in rodent epilepsy models. A report of the TASK3 Physiology Working Group of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force. Epilepsia Open 2018; 3:69-89. [PMID: 30411072 PMCID: PMC6210044 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The International League Against Epilepsy/American Epilepsy Society (ILAE/AES) Joint Translational Task Force created the TASK3 working groups to create common data elements (CDEs) for various aspects of preclinical epilepsy research studies, which could help improve standardization of experimental designs. This article concerns the parameters that can be measured to assess the physiologic condition of the animals that are used to study rodent models of epilepsy. Here we discuss CDEs for physiologic parameters measured in adult rats and mice such as general health status, temperature, cardiac and respiratory function, and blood constituents. We provide detailed CDE tables and case report forms (CRFs), and with this companion manuscript we discuss the monitoring of different aspects of physiology of the animals. The CDEs, CRFs, and companion paper are available to all researchers, and their use will benefit the harmonization and comparability of translational preclinical epilepsy research. The ultimate hope is to facilitate the development of biomarkers and new treatments for epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A Gorter
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences Center for Neuroscience University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Erwin A van Vliet
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences Center for Neuroscience University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands.,Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Department of (Neuro)pathology Amsterdam Neuroscience Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | | | - Gordon F Buchanan
- Department of Neurology University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City IA U.S.A
| | - Daniel Friedman
- Department of Neurology NYU Langone Medical Center New York NY U.S.A
| | - Karin Borges
- School of Biomedical Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Heidi Grabenstatter
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Center of Neuroscience University of Colorado Boulder U.S.A
| | - Katarzyna Lukasiuk
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw Poland
| | - Helen E Scharfman
- The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research and New York University Langone Medical Center Orangeburg NY U.S.A
| | - Astrid Nehlig
- INSERM U 1129 Pediatric Neurology Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital University of Paris Descartes Paris France
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