Abstracts

Abstract

Purpose: Probiotics are living microorganisms in intestinal microflora which are beneficial for human health. Childhood Absence Epilepsy is a common epileptic disorder of childhood. It is characterized by typical absence episodes with electroencephalography (EEG) pattern of bilateral, synchronous and symmetric 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges. There are two validated similar rat models of absence epilepsy, Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) and Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij). To this date, there are nor clinical neither experimental studies about effects of probiotics on absence epilepsy. In this study, we investigated the effects of probiotics on absence seizures in GAERS. Method: GAERS were used to examine the effects of probiotics. Nine male rats were divided into two groups (Group1, n = 5; Group 2, n = 4). The animal in both groups were fed with free access to food and water. Commercially available probiotic product was given in the water to one group of animals. This period was 1 month. Then surface electrodes were implanted for EEG recordings. Analysis of EEG recordings was considered in cumulative total duration and total number of absence seizures which are characterized by spike-and-wave discharges. Results: Analysis of spike-and-wave discharges between probiotic group and standard group showed no significant difference in both aspects of cumulative total duration and total number (p > 0.05). On the other hand, probiotic group consumed more than the other group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of our study showed that probiotic consumption has no effect on total duration and number of spike-and-wave discharges of GAERS in 1 month feeding period. The consumption of water is increased in probiotic group because of the ingredients of the commercially available product. We hope that this study may shed light on interaction between absence epilepsy and probiotics. Further studies are needed.