Models of Epilepsy Used in Antiepileptic Drug Discovery: a Review

This article describes various experimental models of seizure and epilepsy. Epilepsy is characterised by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Antiepileptic drug discovery in animal models starts with the assumption that the experimental seizure model mimics human seizure. Hence a drug which suppresses ictogenesis or inhibits epileptogenesis in animal model is a potential antiepileptic drug for human and it needs further investigation. Phenytoin and Carbamazepine were identified with the help of relatively simple models like Maximal electroshock seizure and the pentylenetetrazole test. Lots of drugs were discovered with the help of these models but a big portion of patients still remains resistant to the available antiepileptic drugs. Again these simple seizure models are increasingly being questioned, are they providing us same type of drugs with same kind of mechanism of action? This question brings the importance of newer animal models that target epileptogenesis, pharmacoresistant epilepsy and models which mimic human epilepsy more closely. There is increased concern on agents for epilepsy disease modification and prevention. To solve these unmet needs, the research scientist must have a thorough knowledge of available animal models of epilepsy so that he can pick up the best model for his research. In this article, we are reviewing the diversity of animal models of epilepsy and their implications in antiepileptic drug discovery.