Seizures following picornavirus infection

• Published in: Epilepsia (Copenhagen) Vol. 49; no. 6; pp. 1066 - 1074
• Main Authors: Libbey, Jane E., Kirkman, Nikki J., Smith, Matthew C.P., Tanaka, Tomoko, Wilcox, Karen S., White, H. Steve, Fujinami, Robert S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.06.2008; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; Brain - pathology; Cardiovirus Infections - complications; Cardiovirus Infections - pathology; Epilepsy; Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic - etiology; Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic - pathology; Female; Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy; Hippocampus - pathology; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred Strains; Motor Skills - physiology; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Neurons - pathology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Picornavirus; Postural Balance - physiology; Reflex - physiology; Seizures; Seizures - etiology; Seizures - pathology; Theiler's encephalomyelitis virus; Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus; Theilovirus; Transforming Growth Factor beta - analysis; Infection; Virus; Nervous system diseases; Convulsion; Viral disease; Epilepsy; Central nervous system disease; Murine encephalomyelitis; Neurological disorder; Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus; Cerebral disorder; Seizures
• ISSN: 0013-9580; 1528-1167
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01535.x

Summary Purpose: We demonstrate the establishment and characterization of a novel virus infection‐induced seizure model in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) or mock infected. Mice were followed for seizures, weight change, body temperature, motor function (righting reflex, rotorod) and neurological manifestations (inflammation [perivascular cuffing], pyknotic neurons, transforming growth factor [TGF]‐β expression). Results: C57BL/6 mice are susceptible to seizures induced by TMEV infection. Approximately 50% of C57BL/6 mice develop transient afebrile seizures. Motor function and coordination are impaired in seized mice. Pyramidal neuron pyknosis and TGF‐β expression correlate with seizure activity in the hippocampus. Discussion: The characterization of this model will enable the investigation of viral and immune contributions in the central nervous system to the development of seizure disorders in humans.