Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Final Thesis Version Case Approved.pdf (1.24 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

LOW FREQUENCY AUDIO-VISUAL STIMULATION FOR SEIZURE SUPPRESSION

Couturier, Nicholas H
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7403-4391
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1401711802

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Biomedical Engineering.
Low frequency Deep Brain Stimulation for refractory epilepsy although effective is a highly invasive treatment requiring multiple surgeries and direct electrical stimulation of the brain regions of interest. DBS has many drawbacks due to complications associated with its invasive nature. We investigated whether a non-invasive implementation of low frequency stimulation (LFS) could provide an effective alternative to surgical resection or deep brain stimulation for temporal lobe epilepsy. Several models of Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (MTLE) were implemented in rodents in order to assess the effect of Low Frequency Audio-Visual stimulation on the number of seizures per hour per day as well as duration of seizures exhibited by each rat. The effects of 1-Hz sensory stimulation were further analyzed cellularly in order to examine possible protective mechanisms resulting from stimulation. The CA3 pyramidal cell density as well as Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) expression were quantified in order to identify the effect of stimulation on MTLE progression. Stimulation was presented in the form of 1-Hz flashing light and clicking sound. EEG recordings of one week prior to stimulation were used to compare against EEG recordings during stimulation. The rats in the kindling model demonstrated a 75% reduction in seizures per hour per day (N=2), while the rats in the kainic acid model demonstrated a reduction of 55% (N=8). The duration of seizures was also reduced in both models, 38% reduction in the kindling model and by 47% in the kainic acid model. Expression of Sonic Hedgehog was found to decrease post-stimulation and CA3 cell numbers were significantly higher after stimulation suggesting the possibility of a lasting effect in the brain in response to stimulation. Significant reduction of seizure frequency connotes an important mechanistic effect of 1-Hz sensory stimulation on the propagation of excitability in the hippocampus. A reduction in the number of seizures as well as seizure duration coupled with a decrease in the expression of markers for MTLE provide a comprehensive basis for the efficacy of our non-invasive intervention modality.
Dominique Durand, PhD (Committee Chair)
Kenneth Gustafson, PhD (Committee Member)
Abidemi Ajiboye, PhD (Committee Member)
79 p.
Biomedical Engineering; Biomedical Research; Neurology; Neurosciences
Epilepsy; Sensory Stimulation; Audio-Visual; Seizures; Low-Frequency Stimulation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Couturier, N. H. (2014). LOW FREQUENCY AUDIO-VISUAL STIMULATION FOR SEIZURE SUPPRESSION [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1401711802

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Couturier, Nicholas. LOW FREQUENCY AUDIO-VISUAL STIMULATION FOR SEIZURE SUPPRESSION. 2014. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1401711802.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Couturier, Nicholas. "LOW FREQUENCY AUDIO-VISUAL STIMULATION FOR SEIZURE SUPPRESSION." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1401711802

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1401711802
634
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.