Methods for the Induction of Status Epilepticus and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Rodents: The Kainic Acid Model and the Pilocarpine Model

Status epilepticus (SE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) models are developed to understand the pathophysiology involved, discovering novel therapeutic targets and evaluating new pharmacological interventions. The in vivo animal models are generated to replicate the pathological, neurobehavioral, and electrophysiological characteristics observed in TLE patients. There are different types of models based on their method of induction of epileptic seizures. In this chapter, we describe the two commonly employed chemically induced models of SE and TLE, namely, the kainic acid and the pilocarpine model. The chapter discusses the mechanistic basis of using these chemoconvulsants, their characteristic features, and the experimental methodology involved in inducing SE through various routes of administration as employed by various researchers. The seizure scoring, electroencephalographic recording, and interpretation of neurodegenerative changes along with the troubleshooting associated with the procedure are described. Our aim is to provide guidance for the readers to induce recurrent seizures in rodents that resemble the continuous spontaneous seizures associated with TLE.