Authors :
Presenting Author: Emmanuel Hernandez Alvarado, MD MsC – Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
Araceli Ugarte, MsC – Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
Carmen Cortes, PhD – Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla
Jose R. Eguibar, PhD – Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla
Rationale:
Absence seizures are characterized by spike-wave discharges (SWDs) on the electroencephalogram (EEG) with a frequency of 3 Hz. They are more frequent in childhood and in most cases remit during puberty. The taiep rat is derived from the Sprage-Dawley strain and has a mutation in the tubulin beta 4A gene, displaying progressive demyelination of the central nervous system. On the EEG they present SWDs with a frequency of 6.4 Hz, with males being more susceptible than females. Data in humans and in the taiep rat show that sexual hormones play a fundamental role in the expression of this type of epileptic seizures. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of prolactin administration on SWD in the female taiep rat.
Methods:
Previously ovariectomized female taiep rats were implanted with three electrodes in the cerebral cortex, one electrode in the hippocampus and a stainless-steel cannula in the left lateral ventricle for prolactin administration. A control EEG recording was performed followed by three EEG recordings after administration of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg of rat prolactin.Results:
The 2 mg dose of prolactin increased the total frequency of SWDs compared to the control group (RM-ANOVA P< 0.01). All three doses of prolactin increased the mean total duration of SWDs compared to the control group (RM-ANOVA P< 0.001).