Long-term effects of neonatal seizures: a behavioral, electrophysiological, and histological study

Huang, L; Cilio, MR; Silveira, DC; Mccabe, BK; Sogawa, Y; Stafstrom, CE; Holmes, GL

HERO ID

5381576

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1999

Language

English

PMID

10611508

HERO ID 5381576
In Press No
Year 1999
Title Long-term effects of neonatal seizures: a behavioral, electrophysiological, and histological study
Authors Huang, L; Cilio, MR; Silveira, DC; Mccabe, BK; Sogawa, Y; Stafstrom, CE; Holmes, GL
Journal Developmental Brain Research
Volume 118
Issue 1-2
Page Numbers 99-107
Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that recurrent seizures during the neonatal period lead to permanent changes in seizure threshold and learning and memory. The pathophysiological mechanisms for these changes are not clear. To determine if neonatal seizures cause changes in hippocampal excitability or inhibition, we subjected rats to 50 flurothyl-induced seizures during the first 10 days of life (five seizures per day). When the rats were adults, we examined seizure threshold using flurothyl inhalation, and learning and memory in the water maze. In separate groups of animals, we evaluated in vivo paired-pulse facilitation and inhibition in either CA1 with stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals or dentate gyrus with stimulation of the perforant path. Following these studies, the animals were sacrificed and the brains evaluated for mossy fiber sprouting with the Timm stain. Compared to control animals, rats with 50 flurothyl seizures had a reduced seizure threshold, impaired learning and memory in the water maze, and sprouting of mossy fibers in the CA3 pyramidal cell layer and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. No significant differences in impaired paired-pulse inhibition was noted between the flurothyl-treated and control rats. This study demonstrates that recurrent neonatal seizures result in changes of neuronal connectivity and alterations in seizure susceptibility, learning and memory. However, the degree of impairment following 50 seizures was modest, demonstrating that the immature brain is remarkably resilient to seizure-induced damage.
Doi 10.1016/S0165-3806(99)00135-2
Pmid 10611508
Wosid WOS:000084494900011
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English