Development of Imaging Methods for the Lithium-Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy

................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. 4 List of Figures ........................................................................................................ 10 List of Tables ......................................................................................................... 13 Abbreviations ......................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 1 Epilepsy................................................................................................ 18 1.1 Classification ............................................................................................... 18 1.2 Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ............................................................................. 18 1.3 Aetiology ..................................................................................................... 18 1.4 Status Epilepticus ........................................................................................ 19 1.5 Animal Models of Epilepsy......................................................................... 20 1.6 Epileptogenesis............................................................................................ 23 1.7 Processes involved in Brain Injury and Epileptogenesis............................. 24 1.8 Therapies for Neuroprotection and the Prevention of Epileptogenesis....... 27 1.9 Biomarkers of Epileptogenesis and Neuronal Injury .................................. 31 1.10 Summary.................................................................................................. 31 Chapter 2 Magnetic Resonance Imaging.............................................................. 32 2.1 Basic Imaging Sequences ............................................................................ 35 2.2 T1 and T2 Weighted Imaging ....................................................................... 37 2.3 T2 Relaxometry............................................................................................ 38 2.4 Fast Spin-Echo ............................................................................................ 38 2.5 Echo-Planar Imaging ................................................................................... 39 2.6 2D vs. 3D sequences.................................................................................... 40 2.7 Summary ..................................................................................................... 41