title: Genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs) and DBA/2 mice: Two animal models of audiogenic reflex epilepsy for the evaluation of new generation AEDs.
abstract: This review summarizes the current knowledge about DBA/2 mice and genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs) and discusses the contribution of such animal models on the investigation of possible new therapeutic targets and new anticonvulsant compounds for the treatment of epilepsy. Also, possible chemical or physical agents acting as proconvulsant agents are described. Abnormal activities of enzymes involved in catecholamine and serotonin synthesis and metabolism were reported in these models, and as a result of all these abnormalities, seizure susceptibility in both animals is greatly affected by pharmacological manipulations of the brain levels of monoamines and, prevalently, serotonin. In addition, both genetic epileptic models permit the evaluation of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions among several drugs measuring plasma and/or brain level of each compound. Audiogenic models of epilepsy have been used not only for reflex epilepsy studies, but also as animal models of epileptogenesis. The seizure predisposition (epileptiform response to sound stimulation) and substantial characterization of behavioral, cellular, and molecular alterations in both acute and chronic (kindling) protocols potentiate the usefulness of these models in elucidating ictogenesis, epileptogenesis, and their mechanisms. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Genetic and Reflex Epilepsies, Audiogenic Seizures and Strains: From Experimental Models to the Clinic".
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. Electronic address: desarro@unicz.it.
authors.forename: Giovambattista
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Sarro
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Citraro
authors.affiliation: King's College, University of London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Brian S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Meldrum
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020195:Epilepsy, Reflex / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D055647:Rats, Transgenic
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
keywords: Animal models; Audiogenic seizures; Epilepsy; Epileptogenesis; Generalized seizure; Neurotransmitters