Behavioral changes in models of chemoconvulsant-induced epilepsy: A review. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Minjarez, B.; Camarena, H.O.; Haramati, J.; Rodríguez-Yañez, Y.; Mena-Munguía, S.; Buriticá, J.; García-Leal, O.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 83(2017)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: TLE temporal lobe epilepsy -- SE status epilepticus -- DRE drug-resistant epilsepy -- KA kainic acid -- pd post-natal days; Epilepsy models -- Behavioral tests -- Emotional factors -- Cognition -- Social impairments; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.10.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Epilepsy is a common disease with neurological and behavioral features that can be studied with several animal models. The use of chemoconvulsant reagents such as pilocarpine and kainic acid is frequently used to induce TLE. The physiopathological processes of TLE include several processes related to epileptogenesis, such as anxiety or depression. The features of the behavioral procedures used in the assessment of TLE can lead to a misinterpretation of the results. The study of TLE induce by chemoconvulsant reagents can be improved incorporating the assessment of basic learning processes. Abstract: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the general population and affects over 50 million people worldwide. Epilepsy is characterized by the presence of spontaneous recurrent seizures as a result of sudden and abnormal electrical activity in specific areas of the cerebral cortex. However, this condition encompasses much more than simply the presence of seizures. Cognitive problems and behavioral impairments are also frequent actors, as well as mood disorders. These must be precisely described in order to develop more successful pharmacological, or even behavioral, treatments. We review some of the fundamental behavioral experimental rodent protocols that have recently been applied to the study of behavioral impairments in epilepsy, particularly in epilepsy modeled by different chemoconvulsants, such as pilocarpine or kainic acid. These experimental protocols are classified into two categories: Tests designed for studying emotional factors, and those designed for studying cognitive impairments and social behavior. Behavioral impairments and adaptations identified by the use of these procedures are described.