Inherent Susceptibility to Acquired Epilepsy in Selectively Bred Rats Influences the Acute Response to Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often causes seizures associated with a neuroinflammatory response and neurodegeneration. TBI responses may be influenced by differences between individuals at a genetic level, yet this concept remains understudied. Here, we asked whether inherent differences in one’s vulnerability to acquired epilepsy would determine acute physiological and neuroinflammatory responses acutely after experimental TBI, by comparing selectively bred ‘‘seizure-prone’’ (FAST) rats with ‘‘seizure-resistant’’ (SLOW) rats, as well as control parental strains (Long Evans and Wistar rats). Eleven-week-old male rats received a moderate-to-severe lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPI) or sha..