Development of new animal model of epilepsy using optogenetics

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25462240
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurosurgery
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Iwasaki Masaki 東北大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 講師 (00420018)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MUSHIAKE Hajime 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (80219849) ; NAKASATO Nobukazu 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (80207753)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): TOMINAGA Teiji 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (00217548) ; YAWO Hiromu 東北大学, 生命科学研究科, 教授 (00144353)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: optogenetics / epilepsy / kindling / seizure

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. However, mechanism of epileptogenesis is not fully understood because ideal animal model of epilepsy is not easily available. This study was aimed to develop new animal model of epilepsy using optogenetics. Optic fiber was chronically implanted in the hippocampus of the transgenic rats expressing channelrhodopsin-2 selectively in their neurons. In these rats, duration and severity of induced epileptic seizures were escalated and fully developed after four-day photo-stimulation to the hippocampus with a certain stimulus condition. This is a first animal model of acquired epilepsy developed by selective neuronal stimulation by using optogenetics. This model would promote further studies on epileptogenesis.

Free Research Field

脳神経外科学