Eight Flurothyl-Induced Generalized Seizures Lead to the Rapid Evolution of Spontaneous Seizures in Mice: A Model of Epileptogenesis with Seizure Remission

Abstract

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by the occurrence of recurrent, unprovoked seizures in which the individual seizure-ictal events are self-limiting. Remission of recurrent, unprovoked seizures can be achieved in two-thirds of cases by treatment with anticonvulsant medication, surgical resection, and/or nerve/brain electrode stimulation. However, there are examples in humans of epilepsy with recurrent, unprovoked seizures remitting without any intervention. While elucidating how recurrent, unprovoked seizures develop is critical for understanding epileptogenesis, an understanding of how and why recurrent, unprovoked seizures remit may further our understanding and treatment of epilepsy. Here, we describe a new model of recurrent, unprovoked spontaneous seizures in which the occurrence of spontaneous seizures naturally remits over time without any therapeutic intervention.