What we have learned from non-human primates as animal models of epilepsy

• Published in: Epilepsy & behavior Vol. 154; p. 109706
• Main Authors: Sanabria, Viviam, Romariz, Simone A.A., Braga, Matheus, Pires, Jaime Moreira, Naffah-Mazzacoratti, Maria da Graça, Mello, Luiz Eugênio, Longo, Beatriz M., Foresti, Maira Licia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Antiseizure treatments; Chemoconvulsant; Disease Models, Animal; Epilepsy - physiopathology; Epileptogenesis; Humans; Natural models; Primates; Seizures; Epileptogenesis; MRI; Chemoconvulsant; TLE; Natural models; GFP; SE; SRS; KA; Antiseizure treatments; PTZ; Primates; Seizures; GGE; EEG; i.m; DREADDS; i.p; SUDEP; ECoG; BLA; i.c.v; NHPs; CeA; ASDs
• ISSN: 1525-5050; 1525-5069; 1525-5069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109706

Use of Non-Human Primates (NHP) in epilepsy research. [Display omitted] •Baboons are an excellent model for studying genetic generalized epilepsy in humans.•Transgenic NHP models have brought attention to non-coding regions in epilepsy.•Different chemoconvulsants have been used in NHP to understand the neuropathology and neurochemistry of epilepsy.•Susceptibility to epilepsy in NHP models varies significantly both within and between species due to genetic factors.•Ethical guidelines and legislation are crucial when utilizing NHP in epilepsy research. Non-human primates (NHPs) have played a crucial role in our understanding of epilepsy, given their striking similarities with humans. Through their use, we have gained a deeper understanding of the neurophysiology and pathophysiology of epileptic seizures, and they have proven invaluable allies in developing anti-seizure therapies. This review explores the history of NHPs as natural models of epilepsy, discusses the findings obtained after exposure to various chemoconvulsant drugs and focal electrical stimulation protocols that helped uncover important mechanisms related to epilepsy, examines diverse treatments to prevent and manage epilepsy, and addresses essential ethical issues in research. In this review, we aim to emphasize the important role of NHPs in epilepsy research and summarize the benefits and challenges associated with their use as models.