Forebrain-independent generation of hyperthermic convulsions in infant rats

Alexey S Pospelov; Alexey Y Yukin; Mark S Blumberg; Martin Puskarjov; Kai Kaila

doi:10.1111/epi.13230

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Forebrain-independent generation of hyperthermic convulsions in infant rats

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Forebrain-independent generation of hyperthermic convulsions in infant rats

Alexey S Pospelov, Alexey Y Yukin, Mark S Blumberg, Martin Puskarjov and Kai Kaila

Epilepsia (Copenhagen), Vol.57(1), pp.e1-e6

01/2016

DOI: 10.1111/epi.13230

PMCID: PMC4738399

PMID: 26547277

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Abstract

Febrile seizures are the most common type of convulsive events in children. It is generally assumed that the generalization of these seizures is a result of brainstem invasion by the initial limbic seizure activity. Using precollicular transection in 13-day-old rats to isolate the forebrain from the brainstem, we demonstrate that the forebrain is not required for generation of tonic-clonic convulsions induced by hyperthermia or kainate. Compared with sham-operated littermate controls, latency to onset of convulsions in both models was significantly shorter in pups that had undergone precollicular transection, indicating suppression of the brainstem seizure network by the forebrain in the intact animal. We have shown previously that febrile seizures are precipitated by hyperthermia-induced respiratory alkalosis. Here, we show that triggering of hyperthermia-induced hyperventilation and consequent convulsions in transected animals are blocked by diazepam. The present data suggest that the role of endogenous brainstem activity in triggering tonic-clonic seizures should be re-evaluated in standard experimental models of limbic seizures. Our work sheds new light on the mechanisms that generate febrile seizures in children and, therefore, on how they might be treated.

Animals, Newborn

Hyperthermia, Induced - adverse effects

Rats, Wistar

Seizures - drug therapy

Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use

Rats

Male

Prosencephalon - physiology

Body Temperature - physiology

Animals

Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists - toxicity

Time Factors

Seizures - etiology

Diazepam - therapeutic use

Kainic Acid - toxicity

Denervation

Disease Models, Animal

Details

Title: Subtitle: Forebrain-independent generation of hyperthermic convulsions in infant rats
Creators: Alexey S Pospelov - Department of Biosciences and Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Alexey Y Yukin - Department of Biosciences and Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Mark S Blumberg - Departments of Psychology and Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.A
Martin Puskarjov - Department of Biosciences and Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Kai Kaila - Department of Biosciences and Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Epilepsia (Copenhagen), Vol.57(1), pp.e1-e6
DOI: 10.1111/epi.13230
PMID: 26547277
PMCID: PMC4738399
NLM abbreviation: Epilepsia
ISSN: 0013-9580
eISSN: 1528-1167
Publisher: United States
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/501100002341, name: Suomen Akatemia; DOI: 10.13039/501100004012, name: Jane ja Aatos Erkon Säätiö
Language: English
Date published: 01/2016
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biology
Record Identifier: 9984070109302771

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