Evaluating the role of memory in a rodent model of epilepsy

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dc.contributor.authorDas, Ritwik
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorLuczak, Artur
dc.date.accessioned2023-06-02T20:52:39Z
dc.date.available2023-06-02T20:52:39Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.description.abstractEpileptogenesis is a complex and not well understood phenomenon. It has been largely described as pathology occurring because of an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory brain networks. Through our experiments we attempted to show that epileptogenesis could be “hijacking” the brain mechanisms responsible for memory formation. We began by using an associative experimental design, pairing auditory and visual cues with electrically kindled evoked seizures to design a rodent model of reflex seizures. Reflex seizures are a clinical phenomenon characterized by convulsive episodes induced by specific sensory stimuli or cognitive actions. Our experiment failed to establish a reflex seizure model in rodents, but interestingly we observed behavior and electrophysiology similar to fear conditioning, with significant freezing in animals paired with cues. Using the same animals, we investigated memory reconsolidation blocking therapies, which rely upon replaying neuronal activity but instead of strengthening, involved synapses are weakened. We used rapamycin to weaken neuronal circuitry replayed with the sensory cues and evoked seizures to weaken epileptic networks. Although this was aimed as an exploratory study, the drug therapy abolished seizures in two animals, demonstrating promising results.
dc.description.sponsorshipAlberta Innovates (Personal Scholarship), CIHR (Lab Scholarship)
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/6505
dc.language.isoen
dc.proquest.subject0317
dc.proquestyesYes
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Neuroscience
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Neuroscience
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Science
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)
dc.subjectneuroscience
dc.subjectrodent model of epilepsy
dc.subjectmemory formation
dc.subjectepileptogenesis
dc.subjectreflex seizures
dc.subjectmemory consolidation
dc.subjectinterruption of memory consolidation
dc.subjectneuron seizure
dc.subject.lcshEpilepsy--Animal models
dc.subject.lcshEpilepsy--Research
dc.subject.lcshMemory consolidation--Research
dc.subject.lcshKindling (Neurology)
dc.subject.lcshNeural networks (Neurobiology)--Research
dc.subject.lcshNeural circuity--Research
dc.subject.lcshMice as laboratory animals
dc.subject.lcshAnimal models in research
dc.subject.lcshDissertations, Academic
dc.titleEvaluating the role of memory in a rodent model of epilepsy
dc.typeThesis
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