A Review on Chemical Induced Kindling Models of Epilepsy

A variety of animal models have been developed to study the effect of antiepileptic drugs. These models provide the means of inducing changes and causing alterations in neural function which may lead to epileptogenesis. Kindling is a lasting change in brain function caused by repeated stimulation resulting an increased seizure duration and progressive intensification of seizure activity. The kindling model is widely used by investigators to provide insights into epileptogenesis. Kindled seizures can be induced in a number of animal species by electrical stimulation of brain as well as by chemical convulsants. The repeated administration of convulsant agents at sub-threshold concentrations is known as chemical kindling. This phenomenon can be achieved using convulsants like GABAergic antagonists, neurotoxicants, local anaesthetics etc. Chemical kindling has attracted the interest of many investigators as a model to study the effects of multiple seizures on the brain. The present review is an attempt to compare the various chemical models of kindling.