Changes in electroencephalographic characteristics and blood-brain barrier permeability in WAG/Rij rats with cortical dysplasia

Abstract Purpose This study investigated the effects of cortical dysplasia (CD) on electrophysiology and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in WAG/Rij rats with genetic absence epilepsy. Methods Pregnant WAG/Rij rats were exposed to 145 cGy of gamma-irradiation on embryonic day 17 to induce CD. An electroencephalogram was recorded from cortices subdurally in the offspring of the pregnant animals. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used as determinant of BBB permeability. Results A massive tissue loss in the cerebral cortex was seen in WAG/Rij rats with CD ( p p p p Conclusion In our study, we showed that number and duration of SWDs decreased and SWD frequency increased in WAG/Rij rats with CD, suggesting a shift in seizure pattern. The association of these alterations with significant loss of cortical thickness and increased BBB permeability to HRP tracer may represent a causal relation of the EEG abnormalities with cerebral structural changes in these animals.