Increased seizure duration in mice lacking aquaporin-4 water channels

Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2006:96:389-92. doi: 10.1007/3-211-30714-1_80.

Abstract

Aquaporins are intrinsic membrane proteins involved in water transport in fluid-transporting tissues. In the brain, aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is expressed widely by glial cells, but its function is unclear. Extensive basic and clinical studies indicate that osmolarity affects seizure susceptibility, and in our previous studies we found that AQP4 -/- mice have an elevated seizure threshold in response to the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol. In this study, we examined the seizure phenotype of AQP4 -/- mice in greater detail using in vivo electroencephalographic recording. AQP4 -/- mice were found to have dramatically longer stimulation-evoked seizures following hippocampal stimulation as well as a higher seizure threshold. These results implicate AQP4 in water and potassium regulation associated with neuronal activity and seizures.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaporin 4 / genetics
  • Aquaporin 4 / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Electroencephalography
  • Hippocampus / physiopathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Seizures / diagnosis*
  • Seizures / physiopathology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / diagnosis*
  • Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Aqp4 protein, mouse
  • Aquaporin 4