Establishing a Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epileptic Seizure Model in Mice

Begin by intraperitoneally injecting a low dose of pentylenetetrazole or PTZ, a seizure-inducing agent, into an adult mouse.

PTZ is absorbed into the bloodstream and crosses the blood-brain barrier, reaching the brain.

In the brain, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, binds to GABA-A receptors on neurons.

This binding facilitates chloride ion influx, hyperpolarizing the neurons and decreasing their excitability.

PTZ acts as a GABA-A receptor antagonist, inhibiting chloride ion influx and increasing neuronal excitability.

Excitatory neurotransmitters then bind to these neurons and induce prolonged depolarization and action potential generation.

This heightened excitability affects nearby neurons, leading to synchronized and repetitive firing, resulting in seizures.

Administer low-dose PTZ injections every other day.

With each repeated injection, neuronal hyperexcitability progressively increases, causing seizures to intensify and spread across larger brain areas.

Over time, this leads to spontaneous seizures without PTZ administration, resulting in epilepsy.

Begin preparing the injection by dissolving two milligrams per milliliter PTZ in sterile 0.9% sodium chloride. Weigh the animal, then place in an observation chamber for a three-minute habituation period.

Next, inject PTZ intraperitoneally with a one-milliliter syringe, attached to a 27 gauge needle into the left or right quadrant of the abdomen of the animal.

Finally, observe the animal after PTZ injection for abnormal behavior.