Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The Mongolian gerbil in experimental epilepsy

R Bertorelli1, M Adami, E Ongini

  • 1Laboratori Ricerca, Schering-Plough, Comazzo, Milano, Italia.

Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences
|February 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Mongolian gerbils can model epileptiform seizures, developing convulsions when exposed to stimuli like compressed air. This model shows promise for ethological and spontaneous seizure research but has limitations for antiepileptic drug studies.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Rational optimization of D3R/GSK-3β dual target-directed ligands as potential treatment for bipolar disorder: Design, synthesis, X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics simulations, in vitro ADME, and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies.

European journal of medicinal chemistry·2025
Same author

Weekend effects on health outcomes and operational efficiency in emergency admissions to general medicine services of the Central Hospital of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Italy.

Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita·2018
Same author

Environmental training is beneficial to clinical symptoms and cortical presynaptic defects in mice suffering from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Neuropharmacology·2018
Same author

Fumarate-loaded electrospun nanofibers with anti-inflammatory activity for fast recovery of mild skin burns.

Biomedical materials (Bristol, England)·2016
Same author

Fumaric acid esters in psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.

Clinical and experimental dermatology·2014
Same author

Pharmacological characterization of the peripheral FAAH inhibitor URB937 in female rodents: interaction with the Abcg2 transporter in the blood-placenta barrier.

British journal of pharmacology·2012

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Animal Models

Background:

  • Mongolian gerbils are frequently used experimental models for studying epilepsy.
  • A subset of gerbils spontaneously exhibit seizures when exposed to novel environments or handling.
  • This study critically evaluates the gerbil model's utility based on existing literature and new experimental data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the Mongolian gerbil's suitability as a model for epileptiform seizures.
  • To investigate the gerbil's response to external stimuli, specifically compressed air, for seizure induction.
  • To evaluate the model's applicability in ethological studies and pharmacological research for antiepileptic drugs.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of seven Mongolian gerbils was subjected to weekly compressed air challenges over 15 weeks.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was recorded during stimulus exposure.
  • Behavioral seizure patterns and intensity were observed and correlated with EEG data.

    • Main Results:

    • Gerbils developed seizures in response to compressed air, with susceptibility increasing from week 5.
    • Four out of seven gerbils exhibited increasingly severe seizures, including clonic-tonic components.
    • Observed behavioral seizure patterns were consistent with recorded EEG changes.

    Conclusions:

    • The Mongolian gerbil model is valuable for ethological studies and investigating mechanisms of "spontaneous" seizures.
    • The model's response variability and specific seizure characteristics present limitations for pharmacological studies of antiepileptic drugs.
    • Further research may refine the gerbil model for specific epilepsy research applications.