CURRENT TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES
CURRENT APPROACHES IN ANIMAL MODELS USED IN EPILEPSY RESEARCH
Yayıncı:
İstanbul Üniversitesi Yayınları
Animal models have been used for many years and are still used to provide guidance for understanding the pathophysiologies and potential mechanisms underlying both epilepsy and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) used for the treatment of epilepsy, including drug-resistant epilepsy. They are indispensable in silico, in vitro, and in vivo models for research on the use and side effects of AEDs. Despite success in modifying existing models or developing new models, animal models appear to be unable to fully mimic human seizure patterns in terms of the high degree of heterogeneity in patients, the complexity of resistance to AEDs, multiple seizures, and comorbidities. Therefore, a targeted treatment approach is suggested for cohorts that are difficult to treat, especially in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, the most important problem of experimental epilepsy research is to reflect the findings of preclinical studies in the clinical environment. In this context, criteria such as construct, face, and predictive validity should be taken into consideration when assessing the clinical relevance and usefulness of animal models to be developed in epilepsy research. In conclusion, the aforementioned complex mechanisms still exist in the field of epilepsy research and are open questions for the epilepsy world.
