Simultaneous recording of electroencephalogram and blood pressure in conscious telemetered rats during ictal state

IntroductionSeizures are accompanied by autonomic dysfunction which in turn influences cardiovascular variables. A method for simultaneous acquisition of electroencephalogram (EEG) and arterial blood pressure (BP) during seizures in conscious animals has not previously been described.MethodsThe effect of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) was first studied on isolated rat atria. EEG and BP were then monitored simultaneously in conscious rats, with a chronically implanted radiotelemetric device. Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) during epileptiform seizures induced by intraperitoneal administration of PTZ were monitored to validate the method.ResultsPTZ did not have significant inotropic or chronotropic effect in isolated atria. The radiotelemetry system used to acquire data in unrestrained conscious rats enabled us to study neurological excitation (EEG) and cardiovascular variables (BP and HR) during seizures. Our results demonstrated that this method can be used to study the effect of neuronal excitation on cardiovascular variables and vice versa.