Purpose: The increase in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic activity and the generation of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs), which are typical absence seizures, show an inverse proportion (1,2). We aim to investigate the effect of degeneration of the nigro-striatal pathway on SWDs, during the development process- epileptogenesis- of absence epilepsy, which is characterized by non-convulsive seizures.

Method: 8 μg dose of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was injected to degenerate the striatum of 30-day-old rats with genetic absence epilepsy (GAERS) (striatum two injections; AP: -0.5 mm/ -1.0, ML: -3.0 mm, V: -6.0 mm). In the control group, saline was administered to the same areas (Sham). At the third week, behavioral tests were performed with apomorphine injection. Stereotaxic surgery under ketamine and xylazine anesthesia were performed in 6-OHDA and sham group GAERS with positive rotation behavior when they were three months old, and EEG recording electrodes were placed over the skull. After a one-week recovery period, basal EEGs were recorded from the animals and SWD parameters were evaluated.