Developing and Testing a Video-Based System to Explore the Effects of Induced Epilepsy on Social Housing in Adult Male Mice Open Access

Abstract

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by disrupted nerve cell activity leading to seizures, impacts millions worldwide. Despite the pivotal role of mouse models in understanding epilepsy, many studies overlook social influences on seizures. This study investigates how induced epilepsy, utilizing the intrahippocampal kainic acid model, alters behaviors in dually housed mice. Mice were paired, marked, and observed for baseline behavior pre-injection and post-injection for thirty days. DeepLabCuts algorithm and Python were employed to track mouse locations relative to the enclosure and each other. Post-injection, epileptic mice spent less time near the exercise wheel, contrasting with healthy mice (p = 0.0462). Both cohorts displayed increased proximity to food post-injection, with epileptic mice showing unexpected behavior approaching malnutrition. Cohort 2 showed no significant differences for epileptic mice pre-and post-surgery. For proximity to the water in cohort 1, both mouse 0 and mouse 1 spent more time at the water bottle post-surgery compared to before (p < 0.0001 for both). During the evening, significant differences in time spent together were noted, with reduced social ties observed during the second 10 days, potentially indicating the impact of epilepsy on social interactions. Similarly, during the midnight period, significant differences were noted across various intervals, with mice spending more time together after day 20, indicating minimal disruption by the epileptic mouse. In cohort 2, a similar trend was observed with mouse 0 and mouse 1 spending less time together during noon, evening, and midnight 30 days post-surgery compared to pre-KA days. The increasing distance over time suggests reduced interaction frequency, possibly influenced by the seizures of the mouse. Observations of fighting or caretaking behaviors post-seizures underscore the importance of social dynamics in mouse models of epilepsy. The study provides critical insights into the role of environmental factors in epilepsy research and may inform strategies for epilepsy management in both animal models and humans.

Table of Contents

1) Introduction

2) Description of Project

3) Specific Research Aims

4) Hypothesis

5) Proposed Methodology and Sourced Resources

6) Results and Analysis

7) Discussions

8) Conclusions

9) Significance

10) Future Directions and Implications

11) Sources

12) Appendix

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

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School	Emory College
Department	Human Health
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery Health Sciences, General Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Human Health KA seizure model in mice Neuroscience Social housing in mice
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Gutekunst, Claire-Anne, Emory University
Committee Members	Tasimi, Arber, Emory University Freeman, Amanda, Emory University

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