Effects of noninvasive transcutaneous electrical stimulation via concentric ring electrodes on pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the antiepileptic effects of a novel noninvasive stimulation technique, transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TcES) via scalp concentric ring electrodes, on pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in rats.


METHODS
Five minutes after the onset of SE, TcES was administered to the experimental rat via bipolar concentric ring electrode at the CZ location. Symmetrical, biphasic, charge-balanced, constant current, isolated pulses were applied via a custom-made stimulator. TcES parameters ranged from 200-750 Hz, 200 or 300 mus pulse duration, and 50 or 60 mA, applied for 1 min, started with the least intense parameter set and progressively increased.


RESULTS
TcES attenuated electrographic seizure activity and halted the progression of behavioral seizures. Interruption of seizure activity outlasted the period of stimulation and appeared to be long-lasting. TcES treatment significantly extended the life and enhanced the survival of rats after SE.


CONCLUSIONS
Noninvasive TcES, applied 5 min after SE onset via novel concentric ring electrodes on the scalp, reduced, or abolished electrographic and behavioral seizure activity in pilocarpine-induced SE in rats. These findings suggest that TcES may have a role in the treatment of SE.
Besio
Walter G
WG
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana 71272, USA. walterb@latech.edu
Koka
Kanthaiah
K
Cole
Andrew J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D035061:Control Groups; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004566:Electrodes; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010862:Pilocarpine; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012535:Scalp / Q000502:physiology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014743:Videotape Recording
D010862:Pilocarpine