Habenula regulates cardiovascular activities in the insula cortex in a rat model of epilepsy.

ABSTRACTBackground: Epilepsy has a high mortality rate due to sudden death, which is poorly understood. However, recent research has indicated that it may be associated with fatal arrhythmia, which occurs commonly in insular epilepsy. Objective: To examine the effects of the habenular nucleus on cardiovascular activities in a rat model of insular epilepsy. Methods: Adult rats (n = 32) were divided into four groups: Group A (normal control); Group B (insular epilepsy); Group C (habenular nuclei injury alone); and Group D (bilateral habenular nuclei injury one week prior to the insular epilepsy). A rat model of epilepsy was made in the right insula by microinjection of kainic acid (KA, 0.3 μL). Behavioral activities were observed according to Racine scales. The habenular nuclei were injured by direct current electric shock. Heart rate, blood pressure, and plasma norepinephrine were measured in the four groups under quite conditions or during seizure. Results: We found that the rats in Group B have significa...