Therapeutic effect of low frequency electric stimulation on the epileptogenic focus in amygdale-kindled rats

This study was to examine the therapeutic effect of low-frequency electric stimulation (LFS) on the epileptogenic focus in amygdale-kindled rats, and to find out the optimal stimulus parameters. A microelectrode was implanted into the right amygdale of adult male rats. After fully kindling, LFS was delivered to the right amygdale (through the electrode) between seizures to induce stimulus trains (10 repetitive sequences). Next, we undertook controlled experiment in order to exclude the influence of seizure induction intervals on seizure. Fully kindled rats experienced trials for 4 days, the intervals of the repetitive seizure inducing stimulation was randomized for 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, and 20 min respectively. Finally, we applied an orthogonal design to test the 4 factors of parameters (frequency, pulse duration, current intensity and persistence time), in order to find out the best stimulus parameters. Results showed that compared to control group, the stage-4 seizure induction rate decreased dramatically in LFS group and animals in experiment group were more likely to be non-responsive to seizure-inducing stimuli. There were no statistical differences in the different seizure induction intervals. Significant differences were observed in different stimulus frequencies and stimulus train persistence times on the stage-4 seizure induction rate. These findings indicated that 1 Hz LFS is the best. Training for 5 min is more efficacious in controlling seizure. Thus, our results suggest that LFS applied directly to the site of seizure was effective and further studies are required to explore the most effective parameters for developing implanted stimulator.