Effect of caffeine and adenosine receptor ligands on the expression of spike-and-wave discharges in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS)

The influence of caffeine on epileptic seizures remains a matter of debate. Here we tested on Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) the consequences of acute and chronic exposure to caffeine on the expression of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs). Since caffeine is a mixed nonspecific A1 and A2A adenosine receptor antagonist, we measured also the influence of antagonists and agonists of these receptors on SWD expression. GAERS were equipped with four cortical electrodes over the frontoparietal cortex and the cumulated duration and number of SWDs were recorded for 120 min after the injection of increasing doses of caffeine, specific antagonists and agonists of A1 and A2A adenosine receptors. The effects of chronic caffeine were also studied. In GAERS, caffeine dose-dependently reduced the cumulated number and duration of SWDs which almost disappeared after the injection of the two highest doses of caffeine, 5 and 10 mg/kg. Likewise, the A1 and A2A adenosine receptor antagonists led to a dose-dependent reduction of SWD expression while the agonists dose-dependently increased SWD expression. Conversely, the chronic exposure to caffeine via drinking water for 15 days did not influence SWD expression. With the exception of the two highest doses of caffeine that largely enhanced activity, all compounds including low doses of caffeine had no effect on locomotor activity of GAERS. These data show that the acute exposure to low doses of caffeine, or A1 and A2A adenosine receptor antagonists reduces SWD expression in GAERS, independently from any effect on motor activity. The chronic exposure of GAERS to caffeine does not affect the expression of epilepsy.