Recurrent nonstatus generalized seizures alter the developing chicken brain.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Gong
Zhao
Z
Biomedical Engineering Division, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Obenaus
André
A
Li
Nan
N
Sarty
Gordon E
GE
Kendall
Edward J
EJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000473:pathology*; D002645:Chickens; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005838:Genotype; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012008:Recurrence; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000473:pathology; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000473:pathology; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000473:pathology