Objective:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of antiepileptic drug lacosamide on spontaneous absence seizures and anxiety in genetic absence-epilepsy WAG/Rij rats.

Methods:

Tripolar electrodes were placed in the cortex of WAG/Rij rats in each group using a stereotaxic instrument. Saline (4 mL/kg) was administered to the rats in the control group, while 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg lacosamide was administered intraperitoneally to the rats in lacosamide groups. After lacosamide injections, elect roenc ephal ograp hy recording was taken for 180 minutes. Then, the open field test was performed for 5 minutes.

Results:

The total number and duration of spikes and wave discharges increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner after lacosamide injection in all lacosamide groups compared to the control group (P < .001). In addition, the seizure activity of rats in all groups began to increase 10 minutes after lacosamide injections (P < 0.001). Intermittent loss of clinical righting reflex was observed after absence seizures and convulsions also developed. Epileptic seizure activity with simultaneous sharp spikes was observed in the elect roenc ephal ograp hy recording, and a dose-dependent seizure activity increase was observed (P < .001). All lacosamide groups had significantly lower values for the number of squares crossed, number of rearing, and duration of grooming in the open field test compared to the control group.

Conclusion:

It was found in the present study that absence seizures in WAG/Rij rats increased in a dose-dependent manner after lacosamide treatment. Anxietylike behaviors were also increased by lacosamide treatment.

Keywords: Absence epilepsy, anxiety, lacosamide, WAG/Rij rat