Work

Effect of visual stimulation on epilepsy susceptibility in neonatal hypoglycemic brain injury rats during development

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effect of visual stimulation on epilepsy susceptibility in neonatal hypoglycemic brain injury (HBIN) rats and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: = 25). The NH and NH-V groups were injected with insulin (40 U/kg) on postnatal days 2, 4, and 6, and blood glucose was monitored. The NH-V group received daily 2-h visual stimulation from P14 to P28. At P21, brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) was injected to induce seizures and recorded at P28. Brain tissue was analyzed for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Synaptophysin (SYN) expression. Results: (i) In the NH and NH-V groups, blood glucose decreased after insulin injection, with behavioral changes observed at 1-4 h. One rat in the NH group had spontaneous seizures. (ii) MRI at 15 days showed occipital lobe abnormalities in 50% of NH rats, with no changes in controls. (iii) In PTZ-induced seizures, the N group had significantly lower seizure scores than the NH group, with the NH-V group showing further reduction. (iv) BDNF and SYN expression were higher in the NH-V group compared to the NH group. Conclusion: Visual stimulation reduces epilepsy susceptibility in neonatal HBIN rats, likely through upregulation of BDNF and SYN expression in the occipital cortex.

Source: Frontiers in Neurology

DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1587200

Authors: Yifan Sun, Xiao Li, Yan Dong, Xiaoli Zhang, Ling Gan, Tianming Jia

Institutions: Zhengzhou University, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Language: English

Topic: Epilepsy research and treatment

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801