title: Animal models of epilepsy: use and limitations.
abstract: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures that affects millions of people worldwide. Comprehension of the complex mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis and seizure generation in temporal lobe epilepsy and other forms of epilepsy cannot be fully acquired in clinical studies with humans. As a result, the use of appropriate animal models is essential. Some of these models replicate the natural history of symptomatic focal epilepsy with an initial epileptogenic insult, which is followed by an apparent latent period and by a subsequent period of chronic spontaneous seizures. Seizures are a combination of electrical and behavioral events that are able to induce chemical, molecular, and anatomic alterations. In this review, we summarize the most frequently used models of chronic epilepsy and models of acute seizures induced by chemoconvulsants, traumatic brain injury, and electrical or sound stimuli. Genetic models of absence seizures and models of seizures and status epilepticus in the immature brain were also examined. Major uses and limitations were highlighted, and neuropathological, behavioral, and neurophysiological similarities and differences between the model and the human equivalent were considered. The quest for seizure mechanisms can provide insights into overall brain functions and consciousness, and animal models of epilepsy will continue to promote the progress of both epilepsy and neurophysiology research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ludmyla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kandratavicius
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila Alves
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Balista
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cleiton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lopes-Aguiar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Naime
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Henrique
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Umeoka
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Norberto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garcia-Cairasco
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lezio Soares
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Bueno-Junior
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joao Pereira
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Leite
keywords: animal model; epilepsy; kindling; neurodevelopment; pilocarpine