Seizure suppression by EEG-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the rat.
OBJECTIVE
To test the anticonvulsive potential of a range of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) frequencies by novel methods for simultaneous EEG and rTMS in a rat seizure model.


METHODS
Seizures were triggered by intraperitoneal kainic acid (KA; 10mg/kg). Rats (n=21) were divided into three groups in which individual seizures were treated with rTMS trains at one of three frequencies: 0.25, 0.5 or 0.75 Hz. EEG was continuously viewed by an operator who identified each seizure onset. Consecutive seizures in each animal were (1) treated with active rTMS, (2) treated with sham rTMS, or (3) were untreated. EEG was re-analyzed post hoc by visual inspection, and seizure durations were compared within and between treatment groups.


RESULTS
KA-induced seizures were abbreviated by 0.75 Hz (P=0.019) and 0.5 Hz (P=0.033) active EEG-guided rTMS. In contrast, neither active 0.25 Hz rTMS nor the control conditions affected seizure duration (P>0.2).


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate that EEG-guided rTMS can suppress seizures in the rat KA epilepsy model, and that the effect is frequency dependent, with 0.75 and 0.5 Hz rTMS being superior to 0.25 Hz rTMS.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support the use of rat seizure models in translational research aimed at evaluation and development of effective rTMS anticonvulsive protocols. We also offer a proof of principle that real-time analysis of EEG can be used to guide rTMS to suppress individual seizures.
Rotenberg
Alexander
A
Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue Fegan 9, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Muller
Paul
P
Birnbaum
Daniel
D
Harrington
Michael
M
Riviello
James J
JJ
Pascual-Leone
Alvaro
A
Jensen
Frances E
FE
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography; D007608:Kainic Acid; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*
D007608:Kainic Acid