Neuroprotection analysis in rats supplemented with n-3 PUFAs during development after status epilepticus

• Grant number: 13/15384-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2013
• End date: March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Fulvio Alexandre Scorza
• Grantee: Manaira Giraudon Monteiro Tobias
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The nervous system is responsible for the organization and coordination of the body, simple functions to elaborate requiring precise connections between different types of nerve cells. Inputs and outputs of the neural network depends on the synaptic connectivity of the network and the individual properties of each synapse and are associated with the action of adhesion molecules. The developing brain is highly excitable to seizures, in a period of growth of axons and dendrites, synapses formation and maturation of cortical networks, dependent on age. The model of Kindling has been used as a model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in humans and is also considered useful for studying the possible mechanisms involved in the process of epileptogenesis. Consists in inducing repeated crises until it reaches a threshold response that corresponds to the tonic-clonic seizure. Status epilepticus (SE), a condition characterized by acute repetitive seizures and/or prolonged, can have serious consequences. Evidence indicates the importance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for normal brain development, maintaining its function and preventing some chronic neurological diseases. Dietary supplementation with fatty acids have beneficial effects on the cognitive and spatial were able to increase the stimulation threshold of neurons in the CA1 region, reduce excitability and blocking depression and long-term potentiation. Previous results obtained in our laboratory have shown that treatment with n-3 PUFAs in epilepsy has a neuroprotective effect because it promotes facilitation of the transmission. For this work will form four groups of animals omega Pilo, Pilo vehicle, control vehicle and control omega, at different ages in order to achieve the objectives of the study are to assess the damage and the course of cognitive maturation of GABAergic synapses, glutamatergic, co-transporters membrane and synaptic adhesion molecules in animals subjected to the insult of neonatal SE. (AU)