Functional localization of epileptic foci in cats using manganese-enhanced MRI

Objective:To determine the encephalic region correlated with epilepsy by manganese-enhanced MRI(MEMRI)and determine the correlation of epilepsy with calcium overloading.Methods:The cats were divided into two groups.The first group underwent EEG examination and ethological observation.The second group underwent MEMRI measurement.Signal enhanced encephalic regions were sectioned.Results:The achievement ratio of convulsive cats intramusclelarly injected with PTZ was 80%.MEMRI showed diffuse signal enhancement in the cerebral cortex of the cats with generalized tonic-clonic convulsive seizures compared with control animals.The enhancement rate of frontal-parietal-occipital lobe was 34.6% and 22.9% in temporal lobe compared with the control groups.Signal enhancement on frontal-parietal lobe persisted for 24 h after epileptic seizures were induced.The neurons of enhanced encephalic regions showed obvious degeneration and necrosis.Conclusion:Seizures can be induced in cats by intramuscular injection of PTZ(55 mg/kg).Frontal-parietal lobe is the correlated encephalic regions of epilepsy.MEMRI plays an important role in localizing and revealing pathogenesis of epileptic seizures.