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Published on: August 17, 2021
Proechimys guyannensis: an animal model of resistance to epilepsy
Ricardo Mario Arida1, Fulvio Alexandre Scorza, Reinaldo de Amorim Carvalho
1Disciplina de Neurologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Brazil. arida.nexp@epm.br
Purpose:
The potential interest of Proechimys guyannensis (PG), a spiny rat species living in the Amazonian region, as an animal model of anticonvulsant mechanisms, prompted the investigation of the susceptibility of this animal species to different epileptogenic treatments.
Methods:
Adult male Wistar and PG animals were submitted to amygdala kindling, the pilocarpine model and the intrahippocampal kainic acid (KA) model. Electrographic, behavioral, and neuropathological changes were compared between Wistar and PG animals.
Results:
PG animals demonstrated a striking resistance to reaching stage 5 of kindling. Of the 43 PG rats submitted to the kindling process, only three animals reached stage 5. In the pilocarpine and KA models, doses lower than those used in Wistar rats were able to induce status epilepticus (SE) in PG animals. Pilocarpine-induced SE in PG had a shorter duration, rarely exceeding 2 h, in contrast to the 8- to 12- h long SE in the Wistar rat. Of the 61 PG animals injected with pilocarpine, 48 presented with SE and only two presented with some spontaneous seizures after silent periods of 60 and 66 days. KA elicited self-sustained electrographic SE in PG animals, which lasted for 72 h. None of the surviving animals presented with spontaneous seizures in the long-term observation period (up to 120 days).
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that the PG animal may have natural endogenous anticonvulsant mechanisms and also may be an animal model that is resistant to epileptogenic treatments.
Insights
The Proechimys guyannensis (PG) spiny rat exhibits resistance to epilepsy-inducing treatments, suggesting natural anticonvulsant properties. This makes the PG an interesting model for studying epilepsy and potential treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Animal Models
Background:
- The Proechimys guyannensis (PG), a spiny rat from the Amazon, is being explored for its potential as an animal model in anticonvulsant research.
- Understanding the susceptibility of different animal species to epileptogenic treatments is crucial for developing effective epilepsy models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of the Proechimys guyannensis (PG) to various epileptogenic treatments.
- To evaluate the potential of PG as an animal model for studying anticonvulsant mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Wistar and PG rats were subjected to amygdala kindling, pilocarpine-induced seizures, and intrahippocampal kainic acid (KA) models.
- Electrographic, behavioral, and neuropathological outcomes were compared between Wistar and PG animals.
Main Results:
- PG animals showed significant resistance to amygdala kindling, with only 3 out of 43 reaching stage 5.
- Lower doses of pilocarpine and KA induced status epilepticus (SE) in PG rats compared to Wistar rats, with shorter durations.
- PG rats rarely developed spontaneous recurrent seizures after SE, unlike Wistar rats.
Conclusions:
- Proechimys guyannensis (PG) possesses natural endogenous anticonvulsant mechanisms.
- The PG animal model demonstrates resistance to epileptogenic treatments, offering a unique platform for epilepsy research.
