Assessment of anticonvulsant properties of caloric vestibular stimulation in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus mice model

Objective: The present study was undertaken to assess the anticonvulsant properties of caloric vestibular stimulation in mice pilocarpine model of epilepsy. Materials and methods: 24 healthy, adult male Swiss albino mice with body weight ranging between 25-40g were used in the study. Animals were assigned into four groups by simple random sampling that is control, Status epilepticus mice, and hot water and cold water caloric vestibular stimulation groups. Bilateral hot and cold water vestibular stimulation was given to the mice as an intervention for 30 days. On 31^st day status epilepticus mice model was induced by administration of i.p. Injections of pilocarpine hydrochloride (300 mg/kg, i.p.). Occurrence of seizures that is number of the rats in which seizures occurred, seizure latency in seconds, and duration of the clonic phase of the seizure in seconds was recorded manually. Assessment of neurotransmitters like acetyl choline and glutamate was performed. Results: Caloric vestibular stimulation showed positive impact on seizure occurrence, latency and duration. Epilepsy induced changes in acetylcholine and glutamate was limited followed by the intervention. Conclusion: The results of the study showed beneficial effect of vestibular stimulation in mice pilocarpine model of epilepsy. The study recommends further detailed studies.