Nihan Çarçak

IL-1β is induced in reactive astrocytes in the somatosensory cortex of rats with genetic absence epilepsy at the onset of spike-and-wave discharges, and contributes to their occurrence

Interleukin (IL)-1β plays a crucial role in the mechanisms of limbic seizures in rodent models of temporal lobe epilepsy. We addressed whether activation of the IL-1β signaling occurs in rats with genetic absence epilepsy (GAERS) during the development of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs). Moreover, we studied whether inhibition of IL-1β biosynthesis in GAERS could affect SWD activity. IL-1β expression and glia activation were studied by immunocytochemistry in the forebrain of GAERS at postnatal days (PN)14, PN20, and PN90 and in age-matched non-epileptic control Wistar rats. In PN14 GAERS, when no SWDs have developed yet, IL-1β immunostaining was undetectable, and astrocytes and microglia showed a resting phenotype similar to control Wistar rats. In 3 out of 9 PN20 GAERS, IL-1β was observed in activated astrocytes of the somatosensory cortex; the cytokine expression was associated with the occurrence of immature-type of SWDs. In all adult PN90 GAERS, when mature SWDs are established, IL-1β was observed in reactive astrocytes of the somatosensory cortex but not in adjacent cortical areas or in extra-cortical regions. An age-dependent c-fos activation was found in the somatosensory cortex of GAERS with maximal levels reached in PN90 rats; c-fos was also induced in some thalamic nuclei in PN20 and PN90 GAERS. Inhibition of IL-1β biosynthesis in PN90 GAERS by 4-day systemic administration of a specific ICE/Caspase-1 blocker, significantly reduced both SWD number and duration. These results show that IL-1β is induced in reactive astrocytes of the somatosensory cortex of GAERS at the onset of SWDs. IL-1β has pro-ictogenic properties in this model, and thus it may play a contributing role in the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of absence seizures.

Seizure expression, behavior, and brain morphology differences in colonies of Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg

Originally derived from a Wistar rat strain, a proportion of which displayed spontaneous absence‐type seizures, Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) represent the most widely utilized animal model of genetic generalized epilepsy. Here we compare the seizure, behavioral, and brain morphometric characteristics of four main GAERS colonies that are being actively studied internationally: two from Melbourne (MELB and STRAS‐MELB), one from Grenoble (GREN), and one from Istanbul (ISTAN).

The relationship between age-related development of spike-and-wave discharges and the resistance to amygdaloid kindling in rats with genetic absence epilepsy

Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) are resistant to amygdaloid kindling. Since in GAERS the characteristics of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) change with age, we have studied the relation between SWD maturation and the development of kindling resistance. Non-epileptic Wistar rats and GAERS were stimulated in basolateral amygdala with 400 microA at 20 min intervals until they reached stage 5 seizures or for a maximum of 36 stimulations. All of the Wistar rats, the postnatal (PN) day 20 GAERS and the (kindling-prone) subgroups of GAERS at PN30 and PN60 reached stage 5 seizures; at PN20, PN30 and PN60 kindling rates were significantly slower in GAERS compared to Wistar rats. At PN30 and PN60, 41% and 69% of GAERS, respectively, showed no stage 3, 4 or 5 seizures after 36 stimulations (kindling-resistant subgroups). The SWD maturation involves changes in spectral patterns and correlate with age-related increases in kindling resistance in GAERS.

Effect of stage 2 kindling on local cerebral blood flow rates in rats with genetic absence epilepsy

Purpose:  Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) are resistant to the progression of kindling seizures. We studied local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) changes in brain regions involved in seizures in both GAERS and nonepileptic rats (NEC) to map the differences that may be related to the resistance to kindling.

The effect of amygdala kindling on neuronal firing patterns in the lateral thalamus in the GAERS model of absence epilepsy

The co‐occurrence of absence and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is rare in both humans and animal models. Consistent with this, rat models of absence epilepsy, including genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), are resistant to experimental temporal lobe epileptogenesis, in particular by amygdala kindling. Structures within the cortical‐thalamocortical system are critically involved in the generation and maintenance of the electrographic spike‐and‐wave discharges (SWDs) that characterize absence seizures. Using in vivo electrophysiologic recordings, this study investigated the role of thalamocortical circuitry in the generalization of amygdala‐kindling induced seizures in the GAERS and the nonepileptic control (NEC) strain of Wistar rats.

The role of the substantia nigra pars reticulata in kindling resistance in rats with genetic absence epilepsy.

Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) show a resistance to secondary generalization of focal limbic seizures evoked by kindling. The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) is involved in the propagation and modulation of seizures in kindling. We first examined the role of the SNRanterior and SNRposterior subregions in the resistance to the development of kindling in GAERS. Subsequently, to determine whether kindling resistance relates to differential sensitivity of γ‐aminobutyric acid γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic or dopaminergic SNR neurons to kindling, we studied the effects of kindling‐inducing stimulations on parvalbumin (PRV; GABAergic neuron marker) or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; dopaminergic neuron marker) immunoreactivity (ir), respectively, in GAERS and in nonepileptic control (NEC) Wistar rats that lack kindling resistance.

Increased inhibitory synaptic activity in the hippocampus (CA1) of genetic absence epilepsy rats: Relevance of kindling resistance.

PURPOSE Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), a well-validated genetic rat model for typical absence epilepsy, are known to manifest a resistance to secondary generalization of abnormal focal electrical activity evoked by kindling. The mechanism of this resistance is still unclear. In order to understand the possible mechanism of kindling resistance, we investigated for the first time, the differences of short-term synaptic plasticity by using a paired-pulse paradigm as an indicator of GABAergic activity in CA1 region of hippocampus in GAERS and non-epileptic Wistar rats in-vivo. METHODS Rats were subjected to kindling process, basolateral amygdala was stimulated twice a day, with a supra-threshold current, until they displayed limbic or convulsive seizures. One hour after the last kindling stimulation, evoked field potentials from CA1 pyramidal layer of hippocampus were recorded in-vivo under urethane anesthesia. RESULTS In response to supra-threshold kindling stimulations GAERS showed a significantly delayed kindling progression and displayed a significant increase in hippocampal excitability at early stages of kindling that is the critical for the development of convulsive seizures. In control rats that were not received kindling stimulation, paired-pulse depression (PPD) was significantly pronounced in GAERS with respect to the Wistar group. During the kindling course, PPD was gradually reduced in the Wistar rats as kindling progression was advanced. However in GAERS, PPD ratios were not significantly changed at early stages of kindling. When GAERS reached convulsive stage, their PPD ratios became similar to that of Wistar rats. DISCUSSION The increased inhibition in paired-pulse responses at early stages of kindling in GAERS suggests the role of augmented GABAergic activity as one of the underlying mechanisms of kindling resistance observed in genetic rat models of absence epilepsy.