Serial day rapid kindling is an effective tool in screening the anti-epileptic properties of topiramate.
BACKGROUND
In this study, a serial day rapid kindling protocol was used to fully kindle rats in a matter of days. Subsequently, the anticonvulsant profile of a relatively new anti-epileptic drug, topiramate, was evaluated in a cross-over design to further validate this rapid kindling model.


METHODS
Rats were kindled during three consecutive days, according to the serial day rapid kindling protocol. Topiramate was tested at a dose of 100mg/kg, i.p., over the next 2 days using a cross-over design. The stability of the kindled state was evaluated in all rats during two retest paradigms. During the drug-testing procedure, rats received a single i.p. injection of either topiramate or verhicle. Starting 1 h later the rats received additional kindling stimulations during which their response was measured.


RESULTS
Serial day rapid kindling induced a long lasting and stable fully kindled state that allowed for the anti-epileptic drug screening procedure. Topiramate reduced both the afterdischarge duration and ameliorated seizure semiology in the kindled rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Serial day rapid kindling provided a tool to rapidly kindle rats in 3 days. Using a cross-over design, clear indications on anti-epileptic activity of a given drug can be determined using few laboratory animals.
De Smedt
Tim
T
Laboratory for Clinical and Experimental Neurophysiology, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium. T.DeSmedt@UGent.be
De Rouck
S
S
Raedt
R
R
Wyckhuys
T
T
Waterschoot
L
L
De Herdt
V
V
Van Dycke
A
A
Tahry
R El
RE
Vonck
K
K
Boon
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000503:physiopathology; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012008:Recurrence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology; D000077236:Topiramate
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose