Are Acute Changes
After Status Epilepticus in Immature Rats
Persistent?
L.
SUCHOMELOVÁ, H. KUBOVÁ, R. HAUGVICOVÁ, R.
DRUGA, P. MAREŠ
Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of
the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
Received March 20, 2001
Accepted August 10, 2001
Summary
Early consequences of
lithium-pilocarpine convulsive status epilepticus
(SE) were studied six days after this status had
been induced in rat pups at the age of either 12
or 25 days. Studies of spontaneous EEG activity
demonstrated the presence of epileptic phenomena
(isolated spikes) in both hippocampus and cortex
(cortical spikes were more expressed in the older
group). There were no marked behavioral
correlates of spikes and transition into the
ictal phase was exceptional. The motor
performance on a rotorod and a horizontal bar was
the same in experimental and control rats of both
ages. Behavior in the open field was changed in a
reverse manner in the two age groups: the
locomotor activity of rats with induced seizures
at the age of 12 days was significantly lower
than that of their control siblings, whereas
animals undergoing status at the age of 25 days
were hyperactive. In addition, they also
exhibited increased exploratory activity
(rearing) and their habituation to the open field
was deranged. Nissl-stained brain sections
demonstrated extensive brain damage in the older
group in contrast to the negative findings in
younger animals. EEG, behavioral and
morphological changes induced by status
epilepticus in developing rats persisted for 6
days after the status. They markedly differed
according to the age of animals.
Key
words
Status
epilepticus · Rat · Development · EEG ·
Behavior · Motor performance · Histology
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requests
L. Suchomelová, PhD., Institute of Physiology,
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republilc,
Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech
Republic
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