Abstracts

To describe some similarities and dissimilarities between feline epilepsy models, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (LKS) and Electrical Status Epilepticus in Slow-sleep (ESES) with respect to sleep state modulation, neurobehavioral consequences and early intervention., The sleep-wake state distribution of seizures and neurobehavioral consequences were quantified in relation to monoamine concentrations (microdialysis) as well as before and after lesions, systemic and localized drug administration and/or photic stimulation in feline epilepsy models (n=86), mostly in the amygdala kindling epilepsy model., 1) Table 1 compares the kindling model to LKS and ESES with respect to sleep state modulation, spontaneous neurobehavioral consequences and early intervention. 2) Neural generators of synchronous EEG oscillations (tonic background slow waves and sleep EEG transients), can combine to promote electrographic seizure propagation during NREM; antigravity muscle tone permits seizure-related movement. 3) Neural generators of asynchronous neuronal discharge patterns can reduce electrographic seizures during REM sleep; skeletal motor paralysis blocks seizure-related movement during REM. 4) Neurobehavioral consequences depend on the site of the focus, regardless of overt histopathological change in the young. 5) The prognosis is best with early intervention., The kindling process is thought to have trans-synaptic effects on cells distal to the kindled focus. Age-related changes could underlie the progression of epileptic and non-epileptic symptoms in kindled kittens, LKS and ESES.[table1], (Supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.)