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Title
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Long-term valproate treatment increases brain neuropeptide Y expression and decreases seizure expression in a genetic rat model of absence epilepsy
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Author
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Abstract
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| The mechanisms by which valproate, one of the most widely prescribed anti-epileptic drugs, suppresses seizures have not been fully elucidated but may involve up-regulation of neuropeptide Y (NPY). We investigated the effects of valproate treatment in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) on brain NPY mRNA expression and seizure control. GAERS were administered either valproate (42 mg.kg(-1) hr(-1)) or saline continuously for 5 days. Electroencephalograms were recorded for 24 hrs on treatment days 1, 3 and 5 and the percentage of time spent in seizure activity was analysed. NPY mRNA expression was measured in different brain regions using qPCR. Valproate treatment suppressed seizures by 80% in GAERS (p<0.05) and increased NPY mRNA expression in the thalamus (p<0.05) compared to saline treatment. These results demonstrate that long-term valproate treatment results in an upregulation of thalamic expression of NPY implicating this as a potential contributor to the mechanism by which valproate suppresses absence seizures. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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PLoS ONE
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Publication
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2013
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ISSN
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1932-6203
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DOI
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10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0073505
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Volume/pages
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8
:9
(2013)
, p. 1-6
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Article Reference
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e73505
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ISI
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000326405300084
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Medium
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E-only publicatie
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (open access)
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