The effect of electrical low-frequency stimulation on balance and locomotor activity in adult male rats during epileptogenesis of dorsal hippocampal

Epilepsy is the third world neurological disorder. Epileptic focus causes motor impairment by sending projections to different areas of the brain such as areas which are related to movement control. Regarding the inhibitory effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFS) on seizure wave's transmission, this study aimed at examining the effect of LFS during the epileptogenesis of dorsal hippocampal on balance and locomotor activity in adult male rats using the kindling method. Fifty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Control, Sham, Kindled, LFS and KLFS. Animals in the kindled group were stimulated rapidly by daily stimulation of dorsal hippocampus (1 ms pulse duration at 50Hz for 3 seconds). Animals in the sham and control groups did not receive any stimulation. In the LFS groups, four LFS packages at a frequency of 1 Hz were applied daily. At the end of stimulation, motor activity and balance were assessed by open-field and rotarod tests. Frequency of rearing and grooming in the Kindled group significantly increased compared to the control group (P<0.05). Balance in the Kindled group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). LFS induction during hippocampal kindling did not show any significant difference in any of the mentioned parameters with the control group. In summary, applying low-frequency electrical stimulation during hippocampal kindling can reduce the motor activity and improve balance.