TITLE:
Characteristics of a primate model of focal motor cortical seizures suitable for preclinical testing of therapies like DBS
AUTHORS:
Shivadatta Prabhu, Brigitte Piallat, Annaelle Devergnas, Thomas Blauwblomme, Ariana Sherdil, Nathalie Chivoret, Olivier David, Stéphan Chabardès
KEYWORDS:
Focal Motor Epilepsy; Primate Model; Penicillin, Preclinical Testing
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Neuroscience,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
20,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background and objective:
Generating and characterizing primate models of epileptic seizures are important
for understanding pathophysiology of diseases and establishing preclinical
efficacy of novel therapies like Deep Brain Stimulation. A focal motor epilepsy
model is described here. Method: Seizures were obtained after intracortical
penicillin injection into the motor strip through a cannula in two awake monkeys
and electrocorticograms were recorded by epidural screws. Seizures were
analyzed and compared for number, average duration of each seizure and total
duration of ictal activity. Pharmaco-resistance for antiepileptic drug was
tested by administration of Diazepam during seizures. Results: A motor status
with seizures mimicking those seen in Kojevnikov’s syndrome was easily
generated several minutes after penicillin injection and lasted 24 h on an
average. The model thus characterized appears stable and consistent. There is
no significant variation between experiments in individual primate as well as
between two specimens. Diazepam though reduced the total duration of seizures,
failed to abolish behavioural seizures. Conclusion: This model represents a
good alternative model for preclinical research aiming at testing novel
therapies because seizures are obtained on demand, last up to 24 h after a
single penicillin injection, are stable and resistant to Diazepam.