Repetitive transcranial photobiomodulation but not long‐term omega‐3 intake reduces epileptiform discharges in rats with stroke‐induced epilepsy
Debora Vogel, Nancy N. Ortiz‐Villatoro, Leandro Freitas, Flávio Aimbire, Fúlvio A. Scorza, Regiane Albertini, Carla A. Scorza
Abstract
Epilepsy is a yet under-recognized consequence after a stroke and nearly 30% of cases are pharmacoresistant. There is an unmet need for therapeutic interventions during epileptogenesis for better long-term disease outcomes. Transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM) and omega-3 (Ω-3) dietary supplementation are two approaches that have been shown promising neuroprotective effects after brain injuries. Here, we studied the PBM treatment or Ω-3 diet during epileptogenesis in long-term recurrent spontaneous abnormal electrical discharges after stroke. Wistar rats received repetitive 780 nm-laser in the scalp or oral diet with Ω-3 for 2-months after photothrombotic stroke. EEG recordings were performed 60 days after treatment end. PBM but not Ω-3 reduced both electrographic seizure duration and spikes number in the ipsilateral and contralateral cortices and ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus. Conclusively, PBM reduced epileptiform discharges in stroke-induced epilepsy. Our results suggest the PBM as a therapeutic approach for stroke-induced epileptogenesis to minimize long-term disease outcomes.