Sleep Disturbances in Rats With Genetic Pre-disposition to Spike-Wave Epilepsy (WAG/Rij)

Abstract

Wistar Albino Glaxo Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats are widely used in basic and pre-clinical studies as a valid genetic model of absence epilepsy. Adult WAG/Rij rats exhibit generalized 8–10-Hz spike-wave discharges (SWDs) in the electroencephalogram. SWDs are known to result from thalamocortical circuit dysfunction, and this implies an intimate relationship between slow-wave EEG activity, sleep spindles, and SWDs. The present mini review summarizes relevant research on sleep-related disturbances associated with spike-wave epilepsy in WAG/Rij rats in the domain of slow-wave sleep EEG and microarousals. It also discusses enhancement of the intermediate stage of sleep. In general, sleep EEG studies provide important information about epileptogenic processes related to spike-wave epilepsy.