Cardiac Injury Following Seizures Induced by Kainic Acid

Epilepsy is associated with an increased mortality rate compare to the general population. Seizures are associated with an increase in sympathetic activity resulting in altered cardiac activity. ECG and EEG telemetry as well as cardiac histology were used to investigate cardiac function following seizures induced by kainic acid in the rat. Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is more prevalent in males therefore this thesis aimed to examine the effect of gender on seizure activity and cardiac abnormalities.

Autorentext

Morgayn Read is currently studying her PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Otago, NZ, looking at therapeutic approaches for decreasing the 'sympathetic surge' associated with seizures and status epilepticus. Morgayn aims to further understand the interaction between the heart and brain during various neurological and cardiac disorders.