Publication
Title
Rapid kindling in preclinical anti-epileptic drug development : the effect of levetiracetam
Author
Abstract
Purpose This study assesses the use of the serial day Rapid Kindling with Recurrent Hippocampal Seizures (RKRHS) model in drug testing by investigating the anti-epileptic effect of levetiracetam (LEV), a novel anti-epileptic drug (AED) with a unique preclinical profile. Methods Male Wistar rats (n = 16) were implanted with a stimulation/recording electrode unit in the right hippocampus and epidural recording electrodes. One week later, all rats received 12 stimulations each day for several consecutive days according to the serial day RKRHS protocol, until they were fully kindled. Fully kindled rats were then randomly assigned to an active (n = 8) and a control (n = 6) group and injected once (intraperitoneal, i.p.) with levetiracetam (54 mg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl, 2 ml/kg), respectively. One hour later, the rats received additional kindling stimulations, during which the effect of LEV was assessed. Results One hour following injection of LEV, mean seizure stage dropped to 1.67 ± 1.03 compared to 5 ± 0 in controls (p < 0.05). Mean ADD was also significantly shorter in the active group than in controls; 21.16 ± 5.03 s versus 57.24 ± 8.16 s, respectively (p < 0.05). A gradual, time-dependent decline was noted in the anti-epileptic effect of LEV but this effect stayed statistically significant at least up to 2.5 h (p < 0.05). Conclusion LEV was demonstrated to have anti-epileptic properties in RKRHS that compared to those in traditional kindling and contrast with results from classical screening tests. RKRHS may represent a valuable and sensitive screening tool early in the drug screening process.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Epilepsy research. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2005
ISSN
0920-1211
DOI
10.1016/J.EPLEPSYRES.2005.09.004
Volume/pages
67 :3 (2005) , p. 109-116
ISI
000234033800003
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.11.2011
Last edited 04.03.2024
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