Authors :
Presenting Author: Emmanuel Hernandez Alvarado, MD PhD – Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Araceli Ugarte, MsC – Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
Carmen Cortes, PhD – Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
José R. Eguibar, PhD – Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
Rationale:
Women with epilepsy have a higher prevalence of hyperprolactinemia; however, it is unknown whether this is a predisposing factor or a consequence of the disease. The taiep rat is a model of leukodystrophy known as hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum. These rats exhibit spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) on electroencephalograms (EEG) similar to those observed in patients with absence seizures. We have previously shown that acute prolactin administration increases the duration of SWDs. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of chronic hyperprolactinemia on SWDs in female taiep rats.
Methods:
Three electrodes were implanted in the cerebral cortex and one in the hippocampus of six 5-month-old female taiep rats for EEG recording. After a 24-hour control EEG, two anterior pituitary glands from female taiep rats were grafted into the renal capsule to induce hyperprolactinemia. Four weeks later, a 24-hour EEG was performed under hyperprolactinemic conditions, quantifying the frequency and duration of SWDs.
Results:
Chronic hyperprolactinemia increased the mean total frequency of SWDs by up to 65% compared to the control group (Student's t test, t = 3.62; p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in the mean duration of SWDs.