Objective To optimize the simulation of the pathological characteristics and seizure behavior of medial temporal lobe epilepsy(MTLE),we aimed to establish a chronic epilepsy model of MTLE by unilateral,single hippocampal injection of kainic acid(KA)via stereotactic surgery,and to validate this epilepsy model in terms of behavior,electrophysiology,and pathology.Methods A total of 22 healthy C57BL/6 wild-type male mice were divided randomly into a control group(n=6)and an experimental group,which received KA injections(n=16).Both groups underwent microinjection of equal doses of saline or KA in the hippocampal CA3 area via stereotactic surgery.One week later,all mice were implanted with electrodes in the hippocampal CA3 area to facilitate electroencephalogram(EEG)recording.Seizure frequency and duration were analyzed statistically.The chronic epilepsy model was assessed in terms of behavior,electrophysiology,and pathology.Results No mice in the control group experienced seizures,while all surviving mice in the experimental group developed seizures.Adult model mice exhibited chronic spontaneous seizure behaviors,such as staring,chewing,head and facial muscle twitching,and limb spasms.Two mice died as a result of the surgery,four mice died during the acute seizure phase,and ten model mice were successfully established.EEG recordings showed epileptiform changes consistent with MTLE.Immunofluorescence staining revealed neuronal loss in the CA3 area and astrocytic changes,consistent with characteristic pathological changes of hippocampal sclerosis.Conclusions The model constructed by single unilateral intrahippocampal KA injection demonstrated several advantages such as being time-efficient,easy to operate,and reproducible.This model exhibited EEG,behavioral,and neuropathological changes similar to human MTLE,making it valuable for studying effective treatments for temporal lobe epilepsy and serving as an ideal animal model for predicting outcomes of epilepsy surgery.

Objective: To construct a scientific behavioral research of pasta matrix reaching task (PMRT) and comprehensively evaluate sensory-motor dysfunction caused by brain injury. Methods: Twenty-one SD rats were subjected to 14-days pasta matrix grasping training and then were randomly divided into model group (11 rats) and sham group (6 rats). Motor cortex ischemia was induced by injection of endothelin-1 in SD rats. The number of pasta grabed by the injured forelimb and the location in matrix were evaluated daily 7 days after surgery. The infarct volume was measured by Nissl staining at the 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after stroke. Results: The number of pasta obtained by rats was reduced from (33.43±1.02) to (20.57±0.57) at 7 days post stroke in model group, and then increased to (26.85±0.98) at 28 days post stroke, although there was a significant difference between sham group(32.33±1.45) and ischemic group (t=3.198, P<0.05). The frequency of retrieval from each slot of the pasta matrix represented that sham group demonstrated a significant gain in performance in the antero quadrant of the matrix compared to ischemic rats by the fourth week after stroke.The stroke volume was decreased from (37.82±1.17)mm³ at 7 days post-stroke to (24.35±0.38)mm³ at 28 days post-stroke, indicating brain recovery from ischemic injury. Conclusion The pasta matrix reaching task can function as a versatile and sensitive behavioral assay that permits experimenters to collect accurate outcome data and manipulate limb use to mimic human clinical phenomena including compensatory strategies and focused rehabilitative training after stroke.