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Updated: May 25, 2026

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus
Published on: June 23, 2022
Neurotropic viral infections leading to epilepsy: focus on Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus
Jane E Libbey1, Robert S Fujinami
1Department of Pathology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 3R330 SOM, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Abstract:
Neurotropic viruses cause viral encephalitis and are associated with the development of seizures/epilepsy. The first infection-driven animal model for epilepsy, the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced seizure model is described herein. Intracerebral infection of C57BL/6 mice with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus induces acute seizures from which the animals recover. However, once the virus is cleared, a significant portion of the animals that experienced acute seizures later develop epilepsy. Components of the innate immune response to viral infection, including IL-6 and complement component 3, have been implicated in the development of acute seizures. Multiple mechanisms, including neuronal cell destruction and cytokine activation, play a role in the development of acute seizures. Future studies targeting the innate immune response will lead to new therapies for seizures/epilepsy.
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