Detection of pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure activity in the 19-21 Hz beta range using a magnetic coil induction method.

Introduction: A force transducer or automatic scoring system is not sufficient to detect small or fine seizure activity. To improve previous assessments of epileptic behavior, a novel coil method was developed to detect an early behavioral marker for epileptic seizures.

Methods: The present study used the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor antagonist pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) to induce seizure activity and epileptic behavior in mice. A coil method was used to detect motor seizures consisting of small amplitude 19-21 Hz muscle contractions.

Results: Seizure activity in the 19-21 Hz range detected by the coil method was positively correlated with generalized clonic seizures with a kangaroo posture after PTZ administration. GABA receptor agonist valproic acid and ethosuximide decreased PTZ-induced 19-21 Hz seizure activity. The pattern of the amplitude ratio (%) of 19-21 Hz seizure activity after administration of the GABAA/C receptor antagonist picrotoxin was similar to the group that was treated with PTZ but different from the group that was treated with the nonselective muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine. The coil method detected 19-21 Hz seizure activity after PTZ administration. However, the force transducer method did not detect 19-21 Hz seizure activity.

Conclusions: The coil method was more sensitive than the force transducer method for detecting epileptic behaviors. The findings may indicate a novel behavioral marker that can be detected by the coil method to reveal epileptic seizures, thus improving our understanding of the brain mechanisms of action and specific brain waves that are associated with PTZ-induced 19-21 Hz seizure activity.