0000000001043295
AUTHOR
Christina Möller
Imaging correlates of behavioral impairments: An experimental PET study in the rat pilocarpine epilepsy model
Abstract Psychiatric comorbidities are prevalent in patients with epilepsy and greatly contribute to the overall burden of disease. The availability of reliable biomarkers to diagnose epilepsy-associated comorbidities would allow for effective treatment and improved disease management. Due to their non-invasive nature, molecular imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) are ideal tools to measure pathologic changes. In the current study we investigated the potential of [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy- d -glucose ([18F]FDG) and 2′-methoxyphenyl-(N-2′-pyridinyl)-p-18F-fluoro-benzamidoethylpiperazine ([18F]MPPF) as imaging correlates of neurobehavioral comorbidities in the pilocarpine …
Toward evidence-based severity assessment in rat models with repeated seizures: II. Chemical post-status epilepticus model.
Objective: Considering the complexity of neuronal circuits and their epilepsy-associated alterations, epilepsy models cannot be completely replaced by in vitro experimental approaches. Decisions about ethical approval of in vivo studies require a thorough weighing of the animal's burden and the benefit regarding the expected gain in knowledge. Methods: Based on combined behavioral, biochemical, and physiological analyses, we assessed the impact on animal well-being and condition in different phases of the pilocarpine post–status epilepticus (SE) model in rats. Results: As a consequence of SE, increased levels of impairment were evident in the early postinsult phase and late chronic phase, w…
Imaging biomarkers of behavioral impairments: A pilot micro-positron emission tomographic study in a rat electrical post-status epilepticus model.
Objective In patients with epilepsy, psychiatric comorbidities can significantly affect the disease course and quality of life. Detecting and recognizing these comorbidities is central in determining an optimal treatment plan. One promising tool in detecting biomarkers for psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy is positron emission tomography (PET). Methods Results Behavioral and biochemical variables were cross-correlated with the results from two mu PET scans using the tracers [F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([F-18]FDG) and 2 '-methoxyphenyl-(N-2 '-pyridinyl)-p-F-18-fluoro-benzamidoethylpiperazine ([F-18]MPPF) to explore potential biomarkers for neurobehavioral comorbidities in an electrica…
Design of composite measure schemes for comparative severity assessment in animal-based neuroscience research: A case study focussed on rat epilepsy models
PLOS ONE 15(5), e0230141 (2020). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0230141
Toward evidence-based severity assessment in rat models with repeated seizures: III. Electrical post-status epilepticus model
Objective Ethical approval of experiments in chronic epilepsy models requires a careful balancing of the expected gain-in-knowledge with the level of distress. Thus recommendations for evidence-based severity assessment and classification are urgently needed for preclinical epilepsy research. Methods Therefore, we have completed a comprehensive analysis of alterations in behavioral, biochemical, and physiological parameters in a rat electrical post-status epilepticus model. Selected parameters were repeatedly analyzed during different experimental phases to obtain information about the level of distress throughout the course of the model. Results Behavioral patterns comprised an increase in…
Toward evidence-based severity assessment in rat models with repeated seizures: I. Electrical kindling
Objective: Rodent epilepsy models can significantly contribute to our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms and to validation of biomarker and target candidates. Evidence-based severity assessment is a presupposition for the ethical evaluation of animal experimentation allowances as well as for the development of efficacious refinement concepts. Methods: Aiming to improve our understanding of the impact of experimental procedures and repeated seizures, we have completed a comprehensive behavioral and biochemical analysis assessing various parameters that can inform about the influence of an electrical kindling paradigm on well-being in rats. Thereby, we have focused on the immediat…