Epilepsy is synonymous with individuals suffering repeated“fits”or seizures.The seizures are triggered by bursts of abnormal neuronal activity,across either the cerebral cortex and/or the hippocampus.In addition,the...Epilepsy is synonymous with individuals suffering repeated“fits”or seizures.The seizures are triggered by bursts of abnormal neuronal activity,across either the cerebral cortex and/or the hippocampus.In addition,the seizure sites are characterized by considerable neuronal death.Although the factors that generate this abnormal activity and death are not entirely clear,recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role.Current treatment options include drug therapy,which aims to suppress the abnormal neuronal activity,or surgical intervention,which involves the removal of the brain region generating the seizure activity.However,~30%of patients are unresponsive to the drugs,while the surgery option is invasive and has a morbidity risk.Hence,there is a need for the development of an effective non-pharmacological and non-invasive treatment for this disorder,one that has few side effects.In this review,we consider the effectiveness of a potential new treatment for epilepsy,known as photobiomodulation,the use of red to near-infrared light on body tissues.Recent studies in animal models have shown that photobiomodulation reduces seizure-like activity and improves neuronal survival.Further,it has an excellent safety record,with little or no evidence of side effects,and it is non-invasive.Taken all together,this treatment appears to be an ideal treatment option for patients suffering from epilepsy,which is certainly worthy of further consideration.展开更多
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 De...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.展开更多
文摘Epilepsy is synonymous with individuals suffering repeated“fits”or seizures.The seizures are triggered by bursts of abnormal neuronal activity,across either the cerebral cortex and/or the hippocampus.In addition,the seizure sites are characterized by considerable neuronal death.Although the factors that generate this abnormal activity and death are not entirely clear,recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role.Current treatment options include drug therapy,which aims to suppress the abnormal neuronal activity,or surgical intervention,which involves the removal of the brain region generating the seizure activity.However,~30%of patients are unresponsive to the drugs,while the surgery option is invasive and has a morbidity risk.Hence,there is a need for the development of an effective non-pharmacological and non-invasive treatment for this disorder,one that has few side effects.In this review,we consider the effectiveness of a potential new treatment for epilepsy,known as photobiomodulation,the use of red to near-infrared light on body tissues.Recent studies in animal models have shown that photobiomodulation reduces seizure-like activity and improves neuronal survival.Further,it has an excellent safety record,with little or no evidence of side effects,and it is non-invasive.Taken all together,this treatment appears to be an ideal treatment option for patients suffering from epilepsy,which is certainly worthy of further consideration.
基金supported by“Fondation de l’avenir”and Medtronic Europe.
文摘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.
