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Wisłowska-Stanek A, Turzyńska D, Sobolewska A, Kołosowska K, Szyndler J, Skórzewska A, Maciejak P. The effect of valproate on the amino acids, monoamines, and kynurenic acid concentrations in brain structures involved in epileptogenesis in the pentylenetetrazol-kindled rats. Pharmacol Rep 2024; 76:348-367. [PMID: 38519733 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-024-00573-w] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aimed to assess the influence of a single valproate (VPA) administration on inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter concentrations in the brain structures involved in epileptogenesis in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled rats. METHODS Adult, male Wistar rats were kindled by repeated intraperitoneal (ip) injections of PTZ at a subconvulsive dose (30 mg/kg, three times a week). Due to the different times required to kindle the rats (18-22 injections of PTZ), a booster dose of PTZ was administrated 7 days after the last rats were kindled. Then rats were divided into two groups: acute administration of VPA (400 mg/kg) or saline given ip. The concentration of amino acids, kynurenic acid (KYNA), monoamines, and their metabolites in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and striatum was assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS It was found that a single administration of VPA increased the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), tryptophan (TRP), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and KYNA concentrations and decreased aspartate (ASP) levels in PTZ-kindled rats in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and striatum. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that a single administration of VPA in the PTZ-kindled rats restored proper balance between excitatory (decreasing the level of ASP) and inhibitory neurotransmission (increased concentration GABA, KYNA) and affecting serotoninergic neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Wisłowska-Stanek
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CePT), Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warszawa, Poland.
| | - Danuta Turzyńska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Alicja Sobolewska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Karolina Kołosowska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Janusz Szyndler
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CePT), Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Anna Skórzewska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Piotr Maciejak
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CePT), Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warszawa, Poland
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warszawa, Poland
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Löscher W, White HS. Animal Models of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy as Tools for Deciphering the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacoresistance and Discovering More Effective Treatments. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091233. [PMID: 37174633 PMCID: PMC10177106 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last 30 years, over 20 new anti-seizure medicines (ASMs) have been introduced into the market for the treatment of epilepsy using well-established preclinical seizure and epilepsy models. Despite this success, approximately 20-30% of patients with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The current approach to ASM discovery for DRE relies largely on drug testing in various preclinical model systems that display varying degrees of ASM drug resistance. In recent years, attempts have been made to include more etiologically relevant models in the preclinical evaluation of a new investigational drug. Such models have played an important role in advancing a greater understanding of DRE at a mechanistic level and for hypothesis testing as new experimental evidence becomes available. This review provides a critical discussion of the pharmacology of models of adult focal epilepsy that allow for the selection of ASM responders and nonresponders and those models that display a pharmacoresistance per se to two or more ASMs. In addition, the pharmacology of animal models of major genetic epilepsies is discussed. Importantly, in addition to testing chemical compounds, several of the models discussed here can be used to evaluate other potential therapies for epilepsy such as neurostimulation, dietary treatments, gene therapy, or cell transplantation. This review also discusses the challenges associated with identifying novel therapies in the absence of a greater understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to DRE. Finally, this review discusses the lessons learned from the profile of the recently approved highly efficacious and broad-spectrum ASM cenobamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - H Steve White
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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3
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Caffeine intoxication: Behavioral and electrocorticographic patterns in Wistar rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 170:113452. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Reversing frontal disinhibition rescues behavioural deficits in models of CACNA1A-associated neurodevelopment disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7225-7246. [PMID: 34127816 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01175-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
CACNA1A deletions cause epilepsy, ataxia, and a range of neurocognitive deficits, including inattention, impulsivity, intellectual deficiency and autism. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we generated mice carrying a targeted Cacna1a deletion restricted to parvalbumin-expressing (PV) neurons (PVCre;Cacna1ac/+) or to cortical pyramidal cells (PC) (Emx1Cre;Cacna1ac/+). GABA release from PV-expressing GABAergic interneurons (PV-INs) is reduced in PVCre;Cacna1ac/+ mutants, resulting in impulsivity, cognitive rigidity and inattention. By contrast, the deletion of Cacna1a in PCs does not impact cortical excitability or behaviour in Emx1Cre;Cacna1ac/+ mutants. A targeted Cacna1a deletion in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) results in reversal learning deficits while a medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) deletion impairs selective attention. These deficits can be rescued by the selective chemogenetic activation of cortical PV-INs in the OFC or mPFC of PVCre;Cacna1ac/+ mutants. Thus, Cacna1a haploinsufficiency disrupts perisomatic inhibition in frontal cortical circuits, leading to a range of potentially reversible neurocognitive deficits.
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Farina MG, Sandhu MRS, Parent M, Sanganahalli BG, Derbin M, Dhaher R, Wang H, Zaveri HP, Zhou Y, Danbolt NC, Hyder F, Eid T. Small loci of astroglial glutamine synthetase deficiency in the postnatal brain cause epileptic seizures and impaired functional connectivity. Epilepsia 2021; 62:2858-2870. [PMID: 34536233 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The astroglial enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) is deficient in small loci in the brain in adult patients with different types of focal epilepsy; however, the role of this deficiency in the pathogenesis of epilepsy has been difficult to assess due to a lack of sufficiently sensitive and specific animal models. The aim of this study was to develop an in vivo approach for precise and specific deletions of the GS gene in the postnatal brain. METHODS We stereotaxically injected various adeno-associated virus (AAV)-Cre recombinase constructs into the hippocampal formation and neocortex in 22-70-week-old GSflox/flox mice to knock out the GS gene in a specific and focal manner. The mice were subjected to seizure threshold determination, continuous video-electroencephalographic recordings, advanced in vivo neuroimaging, and immunocytochemistry for GS. RESULTS The construct AAV8-glial fibrillary acidic protein-green fluorescent protein-Cre eliminated GS in >99% of astrocytes in the injection center with a gradual return to full GS expression toward the periphery. Such focal GS deletion reduced seizure threshold, caused spontaneous recurrent seizures, and diminished functional connectivity. SIGNIFICANCE These results suggest that small loci of GS deficiency in the postnatal brain are sufficient to cause epilepsy and impaired functional connectivity. Additionally, given the high specificity and precise spatial resolution of our GS knockdown approach, we anticipate that this model will be extremely useful for rigorous in vivo and ex vivo studies of astroglial GS function at the brain-region and single-cell levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell G Farina
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mani Ratnesh S Sandhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Maxime Parent
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Basavaraju G Sanganahalli
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Matthew Derbin
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Roni Dhaher
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Helen Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hitten P Zaveri
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yun Zhou
- Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Niels C Danbolt
- Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fahmeed Hyder
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tore Eid
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Pérez-Pérez D, Frías-Soria CL, Rocha L. Drug-resistant epilepsy: From multiple hypotheses to an integral explanation using preclinical resources. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 121:106430. [PMID: 31378558 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Drug-resistant epilepsy affects approximately one-third of the patients with epilepsy. The pharmacoresistant condition in epilepsy is mainly explained by six hypotheses. In addition, several experimental models have been used to understand the mechanisms involved in pharmacoresistant epilepsy and to identify novel therapies to control this condition. However, the global prevalence of this disease persists without changes. Several factors can explain this situation. First of all, the pharmacoresistant epilepsy is explained by different and independent hypotheses. Each hypothesis indicates specific mechanisms to explain the drug-resistant condition in epilepsy. However, there are different findings suggesting common mechanisms between the different hypotheses. Other important situation is that the experimental models designed for the screening of drugs with potential anticonvulsant effect do not consider factors such as age, gender, type of epilepsy, and comorbid disorders. The present review focuses on indicating the limitations for each hypothesis and the relationships among them. The relevance to consider central and peripheral phenomena associated with the drug-resistant condition in different types of epilepsy is also indicated. The necessity to establish a global hypothesis that integrates all the phenomena associated with the pharmacoresistant epilepsy is proposed. This article is part of the Special Issue "NEWroscience 2018".
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pérez-Pérez
- PECEM (MD/PhD), Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Luisa Rocha
- Pharmacobiology Department, Center of Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Henke C, Töllner K, van Dijk RM, Miljanovic N, Cordes T, Twele F, Bröer S, Ziesak V, Rohde M, Hauck SM, Vogel C, Welzel L, Schumann T, Willmes DM, Kurzbach A, El-Agroudy NN, Bornstein SR, Schneider SA, Jordan J, Potschka H, Metallo CM, Köhling R, Birkenfeld AL, Löscher W. Disruption of the sodium-dependent citrate transporter SLC13A5 in mice causes alterations in brain citrate levels and neuronal network excitability in the hippocampus. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 143:105018. [PMID: 32682952 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to tissues such as liver, the plasma membrane sodium-dependent citrate transporter, NaCT (SLC13A5), is highly expressed in brain neurons, but its function is not understood. Loss-of-function mutations in the human SLC13A5 gene have been associated with severe neonatal encephalopathy and pharmacoresistant seizures. The molecular mechanisms of these neurological alterations are not clear. We performed a detailed examination of a Slc13a5 deletion mouse model including video-EEG monitoring, behavioral tests, and electrophysiologic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses of brain and cerebrospinal fluid. The experiments revealed an increased propensity for epileptic seizures, proepileptogenic neuronal excitability changes in the hippocampus, and significant citrate alterations in the CSF and brain tissue of Slc13a5 deficient mice, which may underlie the neurological abnormalities. These data demonstrate that SLC13A5 is involved in brain citrate regulation and suggest that abnormalities in this regulation can induce seizures. The present study is the first to (i) establish the Slc13a5-knockout mouse model as a helpful tool to study the neuronal functions of NaCT and characterize the molecular mechanisms by which functional deficiency of this citrate transporter causes epilepsy and impairs neuronal function; (ii) evaluate all hypotheses that have previously been suggested on theoretical grounds to explain the neurological phenotype of SLC13A5 mutations; and (iii) indicate that alterations in brain citrate levels result in neuronal network excitability and increased seizure propensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Henke
- Section of Metabolic and Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Dresden University School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kathrin Töllner
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - R Maarten van Dijk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Miljanovic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Thekla Cordes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Friederike Twele
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sonja Bröer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Vanessa Ziesak
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Marco Rohde
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stefanie M Hauck
- Research Unit Protein Science, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Vogel
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa Welzel
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Tina Schumann
- Section of Metabolic and Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Dresden University School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Diana M Willmes
- Section of Metabolic and Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Dresden University School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anica Kurzbach
- Section of Metabolic and Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Dresden University School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nermeen N El-Agroudy
- Section of Metabolic and Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Dresden University School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Section of Metabolic and Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Dresden University School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Jens Jordan
- Institute for Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Chair for Aerospace Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian M Metallo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Rüdiger Köhling
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Andreas L Birkenfeld
- Section of Metabolic and Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Dresden University School of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - 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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De Caro C, Leo A, Nesci V, Ghelardini C, di Cesare Mannelli L, Striano P, Avagliano C, Calignano A, Mainardi P, Constanti A, Citraro R, De Sarro G, Russo E. Intestinal inflammation increases convulsant activity and reduces antiepileptic drug efficacy in a mouse model of epilepsy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13983. [PMID: 31562378 PMCID: PMC6764994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied the effects of intestinal inflammation on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice and the effects thereon of some antiepileptic and anti-inflammatory treatments to establish if a link may exist. The agents tested were: alpha-lactoalbumin (ALAC), a whey protein rich in tryptophan, effective in some animal models of epilepsy and on colon/intestine inflammation, valproic acid (VPA), an effective antiepileptic drug in this seizure model, mesalazine (MSZ) an effective aminosalicylate anti-inflammatory treatment against ulcerative colitis and sodium butyrate (NaB), a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) normally produced in the intestine by gut microbiota, important in maintaining gut health and reducing gut inflammation and oxidative stress. Intestinal inflammation was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration for 6 days. Drug treatment was started on day 3 and lasted 11 days, when seizure susceptibility to PTZ was measured along with intestinal inflammatory markers (i.e. NF-κB, Iκ-Bα, COX-2, iNOS), histological damage, disease activity index (DAI) and SCFA concentration in stools. DSS-induced colitis increased seizure susceptibility and while all treatments were able to reduce intestinal inflammation, only ALAC and NaB exhibited significant antiepileptic properties in mice with induced colitis, while they were ineffective as antiepileptics at the same doses in control mice without colitis. Interestingly, in DSS-treated mice, VPA lost part of its antiepileptic efficacy in comparison to preventing seizures in non-DSS-treated mice while MSZ remained ineffective in both groups. Our study demonstrates that reducing intestinal inflammation through ALAC or NaB administration has specific anticonvulsant effects in PTZ-treated mice. Furthermore, it appears that intestinal inflammation may reduce the antiepileptic effects of VPA, although we confirm that it decreases seizure threshold in this group. Therefore, we suggest that intestinal inflammation may represent a valid antiepileptic target which should also be considered as a participating factor to seizure incidence in susceptible patients and also could be relevant in reducing standard antiepileptic drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen De Caro
- Chair of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Chair of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Nesci
- Chair of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-Neurofarba-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-Neurofarba-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, "G. Gaslini" Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carmen Avagliano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Calignano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Andrew Constanti
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Citraro
- Chair of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Chair of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Chair of Pharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
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9
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Mohammadpoory Z, Nasrolahzadeh M, Mahmoodian N, Sayyah M, Haddadnia J. Complex network based models of ECoG signals for detection of induced epileptic seizures in rats. Cogn Neurodyn 2019; 13:325-339. [PMID: 31354879 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-019-09527-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The automatic detection of seizures bears a considerable significance in epileptic diagnosis as it can efficiently lead to a considerable reduction of the workload of the medical staff. The present study aims at automatic detecting epileptic seizures in epileptic rats. To this end, seizures were induced in rats implementing the pentylenetetrazole model, with the electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals during, before and after the seizure periods being recorded. For this purpose, five algorithms for transforming time series into complex networks based on visibility graph (VG) algorithm were used. In this study, VG based methods were used for the first time to analyze ECoG signals in rats. Afterward, Standard measures in network science (graph properties) were made to examine the topological structure of these networks produced on the basis of ECoG signals. Then these measures were given to a classifier as input features so that the ECoG signals could be classified into seizure periods and seizure-free periods. Artificial Neural Network, considered a popular classifier, was used in this work. The experimental results showed that the method managed to detect epileptic seizure in rats with a high accuracy of 92.13%. Our proposed method was also applied to the recorded EEG signals from Bonn database to show the efficiency of the proposed method for human seizure detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynab Mohammadpoory
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Mahda Nasrolahzadeh
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Naghmeh Mahmoodian
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.,3Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sayyah
- 2Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Haddadnia
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
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Acevedo-Canabal A, Colón-Cruz L, Rodriguez-Morales R, Varshney GK, Burgess S, González-Sepúlveda L, Yudowski G, Behra M. Altered Swimming Behaviors in Zebrafish Larvae Lacking Cannabinoid Receptor 2. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2019; 4:88-101. [PMID: 31236475 PMCID: PMC6590727 DOI: 10.1089/can.2018.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) was previously implicated in brain functions, including complex behaviors. Here, we assessed the role of CB2 in selected swimming behaviors in zebrafish larvae and developed an in vivo upscalable whole-organism approach for CB2 ligand screening. Experimental Approach: Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, we generated a novel null allele (cnr2upr1) and a stable homozygote-viable loss-of-function (CB2-KO) line. We measured in untreated wild-type and cnr2upr1/upr1 larvae, photo-dependent (swimming) responses (PDR) and center occupancy (CO) to establish quantifiable anxiety-like parameters. Next, we measured PDR alteration and CO variation while exposing wild-type and mutant animals to an anxiolytic drug (valproic acid [VPA]) or to an anxiogenic drug (pentylenetetrazol [PTZ]). Finally, we treated wild-type and mutant larvae with two CB2-specific agonists (JWH-133 and HU-308) and two CB2-specific antagonists, inverse agonists (AM-630 and SR-144528). Results: Untreated CB2-KO showed a different PDR than wild-type larvae as well as a decreased CO. VPA treatments diminished swimming activity in all animals but to a lesser extend in mutants. CO was strongly diminished and even more in mutants. PTZ-induced inverted PDR was significantly stronger in light and weaker in dark periods and the CO lower in PTZ-treated mutants. Finally, two of four tested CB2 ligands had a detectable activity in the assay. Conclusions: We showed that larvae lacking CB2 behave differently in complex behaviors that can be assimilated to anxiety-like behaviors. Mutant larvae responded differently to VPA and PTZ treatments, providing in vivo evidence of CB2 modulating complex behaviors. We also established an upscalable combined genetic/behavioral approach in a whole organism that could be further developed for high-throughput drug discovery platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Acevedo-Canabal
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (MSC-UPR), San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Luis Colón-Cruz
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (MSC-UPR), San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Roberto Rodriguez-Morales
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (MSC-UPR), San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Shawn Burgess
- National Human Genome Research Institute, NHGRI/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lorena González-Sepúlveda
- Puerto Rico Clinical and Translational Research Consortium, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (MSC-UPR), San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Guillermo Yudowski
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (MSC-UPR), San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Martine Behra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (MSC-UPR), San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Acker DWM, Wong I, Kang M, Paradis S. Semaphorin 4D promotes inhibitory synapse formation and suppresses seizures in vivo. Epilepsia 2018; 59:1257-1268. [PMID: 29799628 DOI: 10.1111/epi.14429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We previously discovered a role for the extracellular domain of the transmembrane protein semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) as a fast-acting, selective, and positive regulator of functional γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synapse formation in hippocampal neuronal culture. We also demonstrated that Sema4D treatment increases inhibitory tone and suppresses hyperexcitability in an organotypic hippocampal slice culture model of epilepsy. Here, we investigate the ability of Sema4D to promote GABAergic synapse formation and suppress seizure activity in vivo in adult mice. METHODS We performed a 3-hour, intrahippocampal infusion of Sema4D or control protein into the CA1 region of adult mice. To quantify GABAergic presynaptic bouton density, we performed immunohistochemistry on hippocampal tissue sections isolated from these animals using an antibody that specifically recognizes the glutamic acid decarboxylase isoform 65 protein (GAD65), which is localized to presynaptic GABAergic boutons. To assess seizure activity, we employed 2 in vivo mouse models of epilepsy, intravenous (iv) pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and hippocampal electrical kindling, in the presence or absence of Sema4D treatment. We monitored seizure activity by behavioral observation or electroencephalography (EEG). To assay the persistence of the Sema4D effect, we monitored seizure activity and measured the density of GAD65-positive presynaptic boutons 3 or 48 hours after Sema4D infusion. RESULTS Sema4D-treated mice displayed an elevated density of GABAergic presynaptic boutons juxtaposed to hippocampal pyramidal neuron cell bodies, consistent with the hypothesis that Sema4D promotes the formation of new inhibitory synapses in vivo. In addition, Sema4D acutely suppressed seizures in both the PTZ and electrical kindling models. When we introduced a 48-hour gap between Sema4D treatment and the seizure stimulus, seizure activity was indistinguishable from controls. Moreover, immunohistochemistry on brain sections or hippocampal slices isolated 3 hours, but not 48 hours, after Sema4D treatment displayed an increase in GABAergic bouton density, demonstrating temporal correlation between the effects of Sema4D on seizures and GABAergic synaptic components. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest a novel approach to treating acute seizures: harnessing synaptogenic molecules to enhance connectivity in the inhibitory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W M Acker
- Department of Biology, National Center for Behavioral Genomics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Irene Wong
- Department of Biology, National Center for Behavioral Genomics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Mihwa Kang
- Department of Biology, National Center for Behavioral Genomics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Suzanne Paradis
- Department of Biology, National Center for Behavioral Genomics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
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Taurine Protects from Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Behavioral and Neurochemical Changes in Zebrafish. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:583-594. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1107-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Animal Models of Seizures and Epilepsy: Past, Present, and Future Role for the Discovery of Antiseizure Drugs. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:1873-1888. [PMID: 28290134 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2222-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The identification of potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of epilepsy requires the use of seizure models. Except for some early treatments, including bromides and phenobarbital, the antiseizure activity of all clinically used drugs was, for the most part, defined by acute seizure models in rodents using the maximal electroshock and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole seizure tests and the electrically kindled rat. Unfortunately, the clinical evidence to date would suggest that none of these models, albeit useful, are likely to identify those therapeutics that will effectively manage patients with drug resistant seizures. Over the last 30 years, a number of animal models have been developed that display varying degrees of pharmacoresistance, such as the phenytoin- or lamotrigine-resistant kindled rat, the 6-Hz mouse model of partial seizures, the intrahippocampal kainate model in mice, or rats in which spontaneous recurrent seizures develops after inducing status epilepticus by chemical or electrical stimulation. As such, these models can be used to study mechanisms of drug resistance and may provide a unique opportunity for identifying a truly novel antiseizure drug (ASD), but thus far clinical evidence for this hope is lacking. Although animal models of drug resistant seizures are now included in ASD discovery approaches such as the ETSP (epilepsy therapy screening program), it is important to note that no single model has been validated for use to identify potential compounds for as yet drug resistant seizures, but rather a battery of such models should be employed, thus enhancing the sensitivity to discover novel, highly effective ASDs. The present review describes the previous and current approaches used in the search for new ASDs and offers some insight into future directions incorporating new and emerging animal models of therapy resistance.
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The Search for New Screening Models of Pharmacoresistant Epilepsy: Is Induction of Acute Seizures in Epileptic Rodents a Suitable Approach? Neurochem Res 2016; 42:1926-1938. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-2025-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Pontes JCC, Lima TZ, Queiroz CM, Cinini SM, Blanco MM, Mello LE. Seizures triggered by pentylenetetrazol in marmosets made chronically epileptic with pilocarpine show greater refractoriness to treatment. Epilepsy Res 2016; 126:16-25. [PMID: 27421091 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2016.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The efficiency of most of the new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on clinical trials still falls short the success reported in pre-clinical studies, possibly because the validity of the animal models is insufficient to fully represent the human pathology. To improve the translational value for testing AEDs, we propose the use of non-human primates. Here, we suggest that triggering limbic seizures with low doses of PTZ in pilocarpine-treated marmosets might provide a more effective basis for the development of AED. Marmosets with epileptic background were more susceptible to seizures induced by PTZ, which were at least 3 times longer and more severe (about 6 times greater frequency of generalized seizures) in comparison to naïve peers. Accordingly, PTZ-induced seizures were remarkably less attenuated by AEDs in epileptic than naïve marmosets. While phenobarbital (40mg/kg) virtually abolished seizures regardless of the animal's background, carbamazepine (120mg/kg) and valproic acid (400mg/kg) could not prevent PTZ-induced seizures in epileptic animals with the same efficiency as observed in naïve peers. VPA was less effective regarding the duration of individual seizures in epileptic animals, as assessed in ECoG (p=0.05). Similarly following CBZ treatment, the behavioral manifestation of generalized seizures lasted longer in epileptic (p<0.05), which were also more frequent than in the naïve group (p<0.05). As expected, epileptic marmosets experiencing stronger seizures showed more NPY- and ΔFosB-immunostained neurons in a number of brain areas associated with the generation and spread of limbic seizures. Our results suggest that PTZ induced seizures over an already existing epileptic background constitutes a reliable and controllable mean for the screening of new AEDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josy Carolina C Pontes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 3 andar, São Paulo, SP 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Thiago Z Lima
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Avenida Albert Einstein, 627, São Paulo, SP 05652-000, Brazil
| | - Claudio M Queiroz
- Brain Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida Nascimento de Castro, 2155, Natal, RN 59056-450, Brazil
| | - Simone M Cinini
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 3 andar, São Paulo, SP 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Miriam M Blanco
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 3 andar, São Paulo, SP 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Luiz E Mello
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, 3 andar, São Paulo, SP 04039-032, Brazil.
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