The Genetically Epilepsy-Prone Rat

In order to develop a rational clinical treatment for any pathological state, the molecular bases for that state must be understood. As simple and logical as that statement appears, it remains the major obstacle to effective treatment of the family of neurological disorders collectively called the epilepsies. Under the term, the epilepsies are grouped as several types of seizure processes that undoubtedly have multiple pathophysiological causes. Thus, the search to elucidate the molecular bases for the epilepsies has as one of its fundamental components the careful selection of an appropriate model system. The search for an “ideal” seizure model has essentially followed two paths. In the first, animals are rendered “epileptic” by artificial methods and then the pathophysiological, electrophysiological, and pharmacological changes are evaluated. In the second, animals are developed with a genetic predisposition to seizures and used to evaluate the molecular bases for the seizure-prone state. Work using both types of models have provided valuable information about the epileptic state. This review describes an epilepsy model developed using the second approach, namely, the Genetically Epilepsy-Prone Rat (GEPR). These animals represent a valuable model for the study of the inborn neurological defect that predisposes these animals to seizures. A brief description of the work done in several laboratories characterizing the model is presented. Finally, the value of the GEPR as a model for studying the pathophysiology of the epilepsies will be described.