Methodological standards for in vitro models of epilepsy and epileptic seizures. A TASK1-WG4 report of the AES/ILAE Translational Task Force of the ILAE

Joseph V Raimondo; Uwe Heinemann; Marco de Curtis; Howard P Goodkin; Chris G Dulla; Damir Janigro; Akio Ikeda; Chou-Ching K Lin; Premysl Jiruska; Aristea S Galanopoulou; Christophe Bernard

doi:10.1111/epi.13901

Methodological standards for in vitro models of epilepsy and epileptic seizures. A TASK1-WG4 report of the AES/ILAE Translational Task Force of the ILAE

Epilepsia. 2017 Nov;58 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):40-52. doi: 10.1111/epi.13901.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
² Neuroscience Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
³ Epilepsy and Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, The Foundation of the Carlo Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy.
⁴ Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A.
⁵ Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
⁶ Flocel Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
⁷ Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
⁸ Department of Epilepsy, Movement Disorders, and Physiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
⁹ Department of Neurology, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
¹⁰ Department of Developmental Epileptology, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
¹¹ Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Einstein/Montefiore Epilepsy Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, U.S.A.
¹² Inserm, Institut de Neurosciences des Systemes UMRS 1106, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France.

Abstract

In vitro preparations are a powerful tool to explore the mechanisms and processes underlying epileptogenesis and ictogenesis. In this review, we critically review the numerous in vitro methodologies utilized in epilepsy research. We provide support for the inclusion of detailed descriptions of techniques, including often ignored parameters with unpredictable yet significant effects on study reproducibility and outcomes. In addition, we explore how recent developments in brain slice preparation relate to their use as models of epileptic activity.

Keywords: Animal selection and killing; Brain slice preparation; Electrophysiological recording methods; In vitro models of seizures; Recording solution composition.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Advisory Committees
Animals
Brain / physiopathology*
Brain Waves / physiology*
Disease Models, Animal
Epilepsy / pathology*
Female
In Vitro Techniques* / instrumentation
In Vitro Techniques* / methods
In Vitro Techniques* / standards
Male
Organ Culture Techniques / methods
Organ Culture Techniques / standards

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding