Neural Activity In The Amygdala Of Young Rats Evoked By One Or More Seizures

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Haley K. Andersen (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
Mark Zrull

Abstract: Generalized seizures involving clonic convulsions of the entire body are often a feature of epilepsy and result from abnormal neural firing spreading throughout the forebrain. The amygdala is often required to relay abnormal neuronal excitatory activity to the forebrain. In a model of acquired reflex epilepsy, rats are made susceptible to generalized sound-induced or audiogenic seizures (AGS) and exhibit generalized clonic convulsions. AGS-induced activation in the amygdala was examined using the immediate early gene (IEG) c-fos as a neural marker. Rats were divided into three seizure induction conditions: AGS 1, 6, or 12 inductions and corresponding control groups. Brain tissue was stained for the c-fos protein or cell bodies. Comparison between seizure and control groups and within the AGS group revealed a significant increase in LA neuron activation between 1 and 6 seizures but no additional activation with 12 AGS. No changes in neuronal activation of BLA dependent on number of AGS were observed. Repeated AGS affects LA neurons more than BLA neurons in this model of acquired reflex epilepsy with activation of LA neurons stabilizing after a number of seizures. The results from this model of an acquired seizure disorder are comparable to models of inherited epilepsy.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Andersen, H. (2016). Neural Activity In The Amygdala Of Young Rats Evoked By One Or More Seizures. Unpublished Master's Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2016
Keywords
Audiogenic seizure, Amygdala, c-fos, Neuronal Activity

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