Impact of Seizures in Memory Performance on a NHP Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Abstract

There is a lot of controversial finding on how epileptic activities (seizures and interictal epileptiform discharge) affect cognition in both animals and humans. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is one of the most common forms of epilepsy and is particularly resistant to current medications and surgeries. Although MTLE is generally characterized by memory deficits and impairments, the exact pathophysiology of this side effect of seizures is not well known. Here we propose to use a model of penicillin-induced temporal lobe epilepsy in monkey to study the effect of seizures on short and long term memory. The animal was first trained to do a Visual Paired Comparison task and an eye tracker was used to measure the amount of time that the animal spent looking at a new object vs. an old one. Sleep disturbances are also a common side effect of MTLE. To quantify the changes induced by the seizures in our model, we recorded the EEG activity of the animal at night before and after seizures induction, using a telemetry system. This new model of temporal lobe seizures in monkeys could help us develop new therapy, give us new inside on MTLE seizures, but could also help us better understand the mechanisms of the side effect of seizures.