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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Assessment of Memory Function in Pilocarpine-induced Epileptic Mice
Published on: June 4, 2020
Neuroprotectants FK-506 and cyclosporin A ameliorate the course of pilocarpine-induced seizures
Zuzanna Setkowicz1, Małgorzata Ciarach
1Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 6 Ingardena St., 30-060 Kraków, Poland. setk@zuk.iz.uj.edu.pl
Abstract:
The present study was designed to examine whether neuroprotective agents, FK506 or cyclosporin A (CsA), applied to rats undergoing pilocarpine-induced seizures can minimize further development of the status epilepticus. In order to solve this problem, pilocarpine was injected in 60-day-old Wistar rats to evoke status epilepticus. When epileptic seizures reached a defined, moderate level of intensity, the rats received a single FK506 or CsA injections. During a 6-h period following pilocarpine injection, the animals were observed continuously and motor symptoms were recorded and rated. In epileptic rats injected with FK-506 or CsA, signs of significant amelioration of the course of epilepsy accompanied by longer survival periods were observed. Moreover, some differences between effects of the two agents were seen. The obtained results appear to show that, in addition to neuroprotective action, FK506 and CsA can exert also antiepileptic influences.
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