Animal models of focal epilepsy

Animal models are important in the study of the development and expression of focal seizures as well as in the preclinical evaluation of antiepileptic treatment. Many different models are available, including acute and chroni c models for simple pal tial seizures and models for complex partial seizur es. Work on models has revealed that the pathophysiology of seizure disorde rs includes several neurotransmitter and membrane channel alterations. In a ddition, epileptogenesis of focal epilepsy, has been shown to involve the s elective loss of neurons and axonal reorganization. Antiepileptic treatment still hinges on three general themes: modulation of voltage-dependent ion channels involved in spike propagation and burst generation, enhancement of GABA-mediated inhibition, and suppression of excitatory amino acidergic ac tivity. Many antiepileptic drugs have proven efficacy against focal seizure s in animal models as well as patients. More recently developed antiepilept ic drugs may prove to be superior in the alleviation of intractable partial seizures. The three general themes of antiepileptic drug action still domi nate the development of antiepileptic treatment strategies. Too much emphas is on the classical models of focal epilepsy may hamper the development of innovative strategies. On the other hand, continued research on new and exi sting models may broaden our knowledge Of the pathophysiological processes underlying focal epilepsy, and inspire new avenues in antiepileptic treatme nt development.