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Epilepsy animal model

Epilepsy animal model

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Epilepsy
Psychiatric & neurological disease models

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Model Introduction

Model Introduction

Platform Service Advantages

Platform Service Advantages

Experimental results

Experimental results

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Epilepsy

Introduction to Epilepsy Animal Models

Animal models of epilepsy are established in vivo systems that replicate human epileptic seizures, abnormal electroencephalographic patterns, and pathological changes. By employing chemical agents, electrical stimulation, genetic manipulation, or surgical interventions, these models can induce spontaneous or provoked seizures and epileptiform discharges, accurately mimicking diverse seizure types and disease‑progression characteristics. They are extensively utilized in studies of epileptogenesis, screening of antiepileptic drugs, evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, and the development of novel therapies, serving as a pivotal experimental platform that bridges basic research and clinical translation.

Service Advantages of the Aniphe BioLablogical Epilepsy Animal Model Platform

Leveraging a well-established animal model‑building platform for epilepsy, we offer standardized modeling services that encompass multiple seizure phenotypes. Rigorous quality‑control protocols ensure the stability and reliability of our models, providing an efficient in vivo solution for your antiepileptic drug screening, mechanistic studies, and evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches.

Comprehensive model coverage

Rich variety of types

It encompasses various types, including acute seizures, chronic spontaneous epilepsy, focal epilepsy, and genetic epilepsy, and can be tailored to different research directions.

Standardization of the modeling process

Typical phenotype

It can reliably reproduce seizure behaviors such as limb twitching, clonic jerks, and tonic posturing, as well as characteristic epileptiform discharges on EEG, with high concordance to clinical manifestations.

Multidimensional Evaluation System

Technologically mature

A standardized modeling protocol ensures high success rates, minimal intergroup variability, and strong experimental reproducibility.

Adaptable to multi-cycle studies

Flexible and efficient

The cycle gradient is optional, balancing rapid drug screening with long-term monitoring of chronic conditions, while maintaining reasonable overall costs.

Modeling cycle

A response occurs immediately after model establishment.

1  Laboratory animals

ICR male mice

1  Positive drug

Diazepam

1  Application areas

It is widely used in the evaluation of antiepileptic drug efficacy, the investigation of epileptogenesis, studies on neuroprotection and neuroinflammation, and preclinical validation of novel therapeutic strategies, providing a stable and reliable experimental model for both innovative drug development and fundamental research in the nervous system.

Experimental results

Construction of an Animal Model of Epilepsy

Pilocarpine was administered intraperitoneally until seizures were induced in the mice; 90 minutes after seizure onset, diazepam was given by intraperitoneal injection to terminate the seizures.

References: “Construction of a pilocarpine‑induced temporal lobe epilepsy model in mice based on severe epileptiform seizure behavior”

Immunofluorescence staining results

Olig2: OPCs are oligodendrocyte precursor cells, while ODCs are mature oligodendrocytes; both are abnormally activated in patients with epilepsy. Olig2 serves as a marker of oligodendrocytes. PDGF: Numerous studies have demonstrated that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of gliomas. Current evidence suggests that the PDGF signaling pathway is essential for the proliferation and differentiation of glioma stem cells and for angiogenesis within gliomas, making it a promising novel target for targeted therapy in gliomas and a potential biomarker for prognostic assessment.

Immunofluorescence results showed that PDGF and Olig2 expression decreased at 3 days, then increased at 7, 14, and 28 days.

 

 

Immunofluorescence staining results for Olig2 protein in brain tissue of mice from the control and model groups at different time points.

 

Immunofluorescence staining results for PDGF protein in brain tissue of mice from the control and model groups at different time points.

Western blot experimental results

FYN is a protein expressed in oligodendrocytes and is upregulated in patients with epilepsy.

WB results showed that FYN expression decreased at 3 days and increased at 7, 14, and 28 days.

 

 

Modeling Methods for Different Epilepsy Animal Models

Electroshock-induced MES epilepsy model (kindling model)

Animal selection: This model can be established in a variety of species, including frogs, reptiles, rats and mice, rabbits, dogs, cats, rhesus monkeys, and others. In practical experiments, the most commonly used species is the rat (male, weighing 250–300 g).

Experimental procedure: After anesthetizing the animals, the hair on the top of the head was removed, and electrodes were implanted into the amygdala. The animals received a single electrical stimulation session per day at a fixed time, lasting 3 seconds, with the stimulation intensity increased daily.

Model features:

(1) Even in the absence of electrical stimulation, the regularity of cortical electroencephalographic activity and epileptiform discharges can persist for more than one year.

(2) Repeated electrical stimulation can again elicit clonic seizures.

(3) A small number of animals can develop the condition spontaneously.

(4) The seizure is triggered by synaptic transmission.

Chemical preparation method: Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)–induced epilepsy model

Animal selection: This model can be established in a variety of species, including mice, rats, cats, and non-human primates. In practical experiments, the most commonly used animal is the male mouse (18–25 g).

Method of construction: After fasting, animals were administered PTZ in saline via the tail vein, and postural rigidity and clonic seizures in the hind limbs were observed.

Model characteristics: The PTZ model can replicate the clinical manifestations of generalized tonic–clonic seizures in humans. It is easy to establish and exhibits high efficiency in screening antiepileptic compounds.

Kainic acid (KA)-induced epilepsy model

Kainic acid is an exogenous amino acid derived from kainic acid‑producing algae; it serves as a specific agonist at excitatory amino acid receptors and exerts potent central nervous system–stimulating effects.

Animal selection: This model can be established in a variety of species, including mice, rats, cats, and nonhuman primates. In practical experiments, the most commonly used species is the male mouse, weighing 18–25 g.

Method: After anesthetizing the animals, the hair on the top of the head was removed. KA was administered either intracerebroventricularly or systemically, and the incidence of seizures was monitored over a 30‑minute observation period.

Model characteristics: The experimental procedure is simple and rapid, the reagents are cost-effective, and the model exhibits long-term stability. The KA model shares similarities with humans in terms of the latency period, behavioral symptoms, the duration of the latent phase, and the electroencephalographic features during both the latent and chronic phases.

Chronic experimental epilepsy model

Animal species selected: Commonly used animals include cats and rats.

Construction method: After anesthetizing the animals, penicillin was administered by intramuscular injection, followed by observation of their general activity and simultaneous recording of electroencephalographic and cortical electrical signals.

Model characteristics: Microinjection of penicillin into specific brain regions or intramuscular injection of a high dose can induce a classic pathological model resembling the minor epileptic seizures observed in clinical practice; this model exhibits morphological features that closely resemble those seen in patients with petit mal epilepsy.