Experimental Epileptology Flashcards
What is epilepsy?
A disease of the network that is clinically manifested by unprovoked and recurrent seizures (sudden rush of activity in the brain)
What is cause of epilepsy?
Imbalance of excitation and inhibition leading to excessive depolarization
What are the types of epilepsy?
Generalized epilepsy
Focalised epilepsy
What is Generalized epilepsy
-onset in both hemisphere
-Often caused by mutations in:
ion channels (Na, K, Cl-Channel)
Receptors (GABA, ACh)
ion transporters (KCC2, NKCC1, Na/K-ATPase)
What is Focalized epilepsy
onset in one hemisphere
5% each in parietal and occipital lobe
25% in frontal
Mostly (65%) in temporal lobe, especially hippocampus
Q: What is the definition of epilepsy?
More than 2 unprovoked and recurrent seizures in 24h
Q: What is the definition of a generalized/focal epilepsy?
Onset in both/one hemispheres
Q: Mutation of which genes are mostly connected to generalized epilepsy?
ion channels (Na, K, Cl-Channel) Receptors (GABA, ACh) ion transporters (KCC2, NKCC1, Na/K-ATPase)
Q: What is the most common from of focal epilepsy?
Temporal lobe epilepsy, specifically Mesio-temporal lobe epilepsy
Q: Why is temporal lobe epilepsy most common?
Hippocampus
Q: What can cause epilepsy?
Gene mutation Traumatic brain injury Stroke Thrombosis CNS infection
Q: What are the hypothesised key mechanisms of epilepsy?
Enhanced excitation
Impaired inhibition
BBB disruption etc
Q: Which genetic animal models did we talk about and how were they investigated?
Dravet-Syndrom: genetic KO in specific cell types, in vivo and in vitro
KCNQ2 related epilepsy: mutation or KO, in vivo and in vitro
Q: How can animal models of epilepsy be devided?
Chronic
Acute
In vivo
In vitro
Q: Tell me all the acute in-vivo models you know!
1) 6 Hz / Maximal Electroshock Seizure
2) PTZ
Q: Tell me all the chronic in-vivo models you know!
electrical or chemical kindling
chemical via Chemoconvulsants,
Electrical kindling of perforant path
Optogenetic kindling
Q: How does chemical kindling work?
Subthreshold drug concentrations
GABA inhibition
Glu activation
Q: How can we induce seizures in vitro?
4-AP or other chemiconvulsants
Low Mg
High K
Electrical stimulation
Q; What is the intrinsic optical signalling?
Change of light transmittance of a slice during strong activation (eg. a seizure-like event)
Q: How does electrical kindling work?
Stimulation of performant path
Hippocampal sclerosis
