Recurrent Nonstatus Generalized Seizures Alter the Developing Chicken Brain

• Published in: Epilepsia (Copenhagen) 2003-11, Vol.44 (11), p.1380-1387
• Main Authors: Gong, Zhao, Obenaus, André, Li, Nan, Sarty, Gordon E., Kendall, Edward J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Animal model; Animals; Atrophy; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - pathology; Brain Damage, Chronic - pathology; Chickens; Epilepsy, Generalized - genetics; Epilepsy, Generalized - pathology; Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic - genetics; Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic - pathology; Generalized epilepsy; Genetic Carrier Screening; Genotype; Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Intermittent light stimulation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical sciences; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Recurrence; Status Epilepticus - pathology; Superior Colliculi - pathology; Visual Cortex - pathology; Visual Pathways - pathology
• ISSN: 0013-9580; 1528-1167
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.2003.55902.x

Purpose: Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess the evolution of seizure‐induced pathology in epileptic, carrier, and normal chickens. Our objective was to determine whether repetitively evoked seizures in an epileptic fowl model of generalized seizures resulted in altered brain development. Methods: Data were obtained from seizure and control groups at 45, 90, and 180 days after hatching. Results: At 180 days, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the optic tectum and archistriatum of the stimulated epileptic chicks were reduced, whereas ADC values in the nonstimulated group remained unchanged. The mean brain volume of epileptic chickens from the stimulated group was smaller than that from the nonstimulated group at 90 and 180 days. Conclusions: These findings establish that recurrent seizures modify the brain matrix.