title: Seizures following picornavirus infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We demonstrate the establishment and characterization of a novel virus infection-induced seizure model in C57BL/6 mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  C57BL/6 mice were infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) or mock infected. Mice were followed for seizures, weight change, body temperature, motor function (righting reflex, rotorod) and neurological manifestations (inflammation [perivascular cuffing], pyknotic neurons, transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta expression).
  
  
  RESULTS
  C57BL/6 mice are susceptible to seizures induced by TMEV infection. Approximately 50% of C57BL/6 mice develop transient afebrile seizures. Motor function and coordination are impaired in seized mice. Pyramidal neuron pyknosis and TGF-beta expression correlate with seizure activity in the hippocampus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The characterization of this model will enable the investigation of viral and immune contributions in the central nervous system to the development of seizure disorders in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132-2305, USA.
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Libbey
authors.forename: Nikki J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Kirkman
authors.forename: Matthew C P
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: H Steve
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Fujinami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D018188:Cardiovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017945:Theilovirus; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta