Synthetic kainate acid induces seizures in rats

AIM: To observe the effect of synthetical kainic acid (SKA) on inducing epileptic seizure in rats. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were divided into normal control group, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg SKA-treated groups and kainic acid (KA) positive control group. The SKA was injected intraperitoneally. The changes of the epileptic behaviors were observed for 8 h successively and the electroencephalography was recorded for 3.5 h. RESULTS: SKA induced epileptic seizures at the dose of 5-12 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection. No apparently difference between SKA and KA on the changes of epileptic behaviors or electroencephalography was observed. However, the epileptic seizure induced by SKA showed obvious stages, regular pattern and action steady. In addition, SKA caused lower fatality than KA did. CONCLUSION: SKA induces epileptic seizure in rats and the dose of 10 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection is the optimal.     

Epilepsy in horses: Aetiological classification and predictive factors

Reasons for performing the study: In contrast with reports in man and small animals, a systematic classification of seizures in horses is lacking. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to classify seizures based on their aetiology and to characterise epilepsy in 104 horses presented for seizures at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center between 1988 and 2009. Methods: In a retrospective observational study, seizures were classified by aetiology based on history, clinical observations, diagnostic investigations (e.g. electroencephalograms, cerebrospinal fluid and computed tomography imaging of the head) and post mortem examinations, when available. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Epilepsy (i.e. 2 or more recurrent seizures) was identified in 70% of cases, and further classified as symptomatic (i.e. structural brain pathology, 35.6% of cases), cryptogenic (i.e. unknown, 54.8% of cases) and idiopathic (i.e. suspected genetic predisposition, 2.7% of cases). Normal neurological examination on admission, the presence of seizures unprovoked by any identified factors and paroxysmal epileptiform activity on electroencephalogram recordings were all strongly (P<0.05) correlated with epilepsy on univariate analysis. For a horse with generalised seizures, the odds of having epilepsy was 7 times lower compared with a similar horse with partial seizures (P<0.05) in multivariate modelling. Conclusions: Seizure aetiology was symptomatic or cryptogenic in most horses, whereas reactive seizures and idiopathic epilepsy were less common. Potential relevance: This study is the first attempt to classify seizures and to characterise epilepsy in a referral-based equine population. Predictive factors of epilepsy in horses were similar to those reported in other species and may assist the clinician with the early diagnosis of epilepsy.     

加用含镁极化液治疗脑卒中后癫痫的临床观察

目的观察加用含镁极化液治疗脑卒中后癫痫的疗效和对神经元保护的作用。方法120例脑卒中后癫痫患者随机分为治疗组和对照组(各60例)。对照组按脑卒中治疗原则及抗痫治疗,治疗组在常规治疗的基础上加用含镁极化液。结果治疗组癫痫临床治愈、有效和无效的例数分别为34、24、2,对照组为32、23、5,治疗组优于对照组(Hc=4.463,P<0.05)。治疗组神经功能缺损痊愈、显著进步、进步、无变化和恶化的例数分别为8、35、8、3、6;对照组为3、24、12、13、8,治疗组优于对照组(Hc=8.759,P<0.01)。治疗后治疗组总智商评分较治疗前低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后对照组总智商、数字广度、词汇、言语智商评分低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后治疗组总智商、数字广度、词汇、言语智商评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01或0.05)。结论在常规治疗基础上加用含镁离子极化液可提高脑卒中后癫痫患者的癫痫控制率,同时具有神经元保护作用,减少神经功能缺损,能提高患者的认知功能。     

Deleted in colorectal cancer (netrin‐1 receptor) antibodies and limbic encephalitis in a cat with hippocampal necrosis

A 7‐year‐old neutered female domestic shorthaired cat born in Poland and then moved to Japan presented to the local clinic with recent onset of convulsive cluster seizures and status epilepticus. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral swelling of the hippocampus with T2 hyperintensity and contrast enhancing image, suggesting hippocampal necrosis. The cat completely recovered after treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AED) and administration of prednisolone (1 mg/kg PO q24h for 4 days and tapered). However, cluster seizures reoccurred and developed into status epilepticus despite increasing doses of AED. Although the convulsions were resolved by other AEDs, stupor and renal failure developed, and the cat was euthanized. Pathological findings were consistent with hippocampal necrosis. Immunological analysis for leucine‐rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) autoantibodies was negative, but antibodies against DCC (deleted in colorectal carcinoma) known as netrin‐1 receptor were found. This report describes a case of feline autoimmune limbic encephalitis and hippocampal necrosis that were presumably associated with DCC autoantibodies.     

"毒邪致痫"之我见

脑为清窍,不容毒侵,侵之染之,有损元神,元神失控,发为癫痫。毒邪致痫,有内外毒之分：“外毒”包括物理与化学因素毒物、寄生虫毒、药物聚毒、湿热疫毒;“内毒”包括痰瘀内阻、血败脑腐、气机不利酿为毒,风火逆乱、灼伤脉络、升降失宜酿为毒;此外,禀赋不足、脾运不健、湿浊内聚酿为毒,胎产不当、胞元受损、形败难救酿为毒。临床治之多以解毒治痫之法以应对。