"Previous studies have shown that the susceptibility to pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in female rats changes according to estrous cycle phases. These studies have also shown that following SE induced by pilocarpine administration changes occur in gonadal, hypophyseal and hypothalamic hormones that could contribute for the sequence of the epileptic events. Our results indicated that castration/ovariectomy (OVX) interferes with the epileptogenesis in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy suggesting that female sexual hormones could have protective effects against pilocarpine-induced SE. In the other hand, Fabene et al. (2009) evidenced that pilocarpine injected rats without developing SE, can experience spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) after a long latency period resembling human pathology and emphasize the importance of including these animals in the study of epileptogenesis modeling human epilepsy. This issue has been object of our interest because it remains unclear a) why these animals are resistant to SE receiving high doses of pilocarpine and b) what mechanisms can contribute to this resistance to SE. Accordingly, the present work aimed to investigate the role of sexual hormones withdrawal on the development of the pilocarpine model of epilepsy in female rats that no present SE in order to verify if this hormonal condition could modify the developing of epileptogenesis in these resistant animals and if this occurs, which possible ways are involved. To answer these questions could provide important information concerning protective mechanisms involved in the epileptogenesis. Applicants must have PhD and demonstrate scientific expertise on the proposed topic and in the methodologies employed. The candidate must have experience with female rats (vaginal smear, castration, mating and reproductive hormones) and with development of puppies. The candidate must also have ability to work in team and show knowledge in immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and molecular biology."
Contact Information
Amado Scerni DÉBORA
UNIFESP
Neurology and Neurosurgery
Pedro de Toledo, 699
04039-032 São Paulo
Brazil
Phone: 551155492064
Fax:
E-mail: amado.nexp@epm.br; amado.nexp@gmail.com
Closing date: 2013-05-05