The pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Understanding the pathophysiogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) largely rests on the use of models of status epilepticus (SE), as in the case of the pilocarpine model. The main features of TLE are: (i) epileptic foci in the limbic system; (ii) an "initial precipitating injury"; (iii) the so-called "latent period"; and (iv) the presence of hippocampal sclerosis leading to reorganization of neuronal networks. Many of these characteristics can be reproduced in rodents by systemic injection of pilocarpine; in this animal model, SE is followed by a latent period and later by the appearance of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs). These processes are, however, influenced by experimental conditions such as…

• SF
  Savoy Foundation
• MD
  Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca

  Award: PRIN2003
• FP
  Fondazione Pierfranco e Luisa Mariani

  Award: PRIER 2007/09
• RE
  Regione Emilia-Romagna
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research

  Award: MOP-8109
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

  Award: CHRPJ323272-06