Developmental seizure models

Seizures frequently occur in children. There are significant differences in the generation, expression and modification of seizures as a function of age. Animal models of epilepsy should depict these age-related differences. In this paper, we summarize the main features of generalized flurothyl, pentylenetetrazol, bicuculline and picrotoxin-induced seizures in adult and immature rats as well as the characteristics of focal seizures induced by amygdala kindling, systemic NMDA and kainic acid. Some of the models may be more advantageous for screening antiepileptic drug effects whereas other models may be more helpful in studying the basic mechanisms of epilepsy.