title: Subtle alterations in memory systems and normal visual attention in the GAERS model of absence epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Even if considered benign, absence epilepsy may alter memory and attention, sometimes subtly. Very little is known on behavior and cognitive functions in the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) model of absence epilepsy. We focused on different memory systems and sustained visual attention, using Non Epileptic Controls (NECs) and Wistars as controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A battery of cognitive/behavioral tests was used. The functionality of reference, working, and procedural memory was assessed in the Morris water maze (MWM), 8-arm radial maze, T-maze and/or double-H maze. Sustained visual attention was evaluated in the 5-choice serial reaction time task.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the MWM, GAERS showed delayed learning and less efficient working memory. In the 8-arm radial maze and T-maze tests, working memory performance was normal in GAERS, although most GAERS preferred an egocentric strategy (based on proprioceptive/kinesthetic information) to solve the task, but could efficiently shift to an allocentric strategy (based on spatial cues) after protocol alteration. Procedural memory and visual attention were mostly unimpaired.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Absence epilepsy has been associated with some learning problems in children. In GAERS, the differences in water maze performance (slower learning of the reference memory task and weak impairment of working memory) and in radial arm maze strategies suggest that cognitive alterations may be subtle, task-specific, and that normal performance can be a matter of strategy adaptation. Altogether, these results strengthen the "face validity" of the GAERS model: in humans with absence epilepsy, cognitive alterations are not easily detectable, which is compatible with subtle deficits.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), University of Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; CNRS, UMR 7364, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; INSERM U 666, University of Strasbourg, Faculty of Medicine, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Marques-Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), University of Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; CNRS, UMR 7364, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; INSERM U 666, University of Strasbourg, Faculty of Medicine, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: J-B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Faure
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), University of Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; CNRS, UMR 7364, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbelivien
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 7364, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nehlig
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), University of Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; CNRS, UMR 7364, F-67000 Strasbourg, France. Electronic address: jcassel@unistra.fr.
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cassel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000209:etiology*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011601:Psychophysics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
keywords: absence epilepsy; learning; procedural memory; reference memory; visual sustained attention; working memory