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Identification and characterization of outcome measures reported in animal models of epilepsy: Protocol for a systematic review of the literature–A TASK 2 report of the AES / ILAE Translational Task Force of the ILAE
Author(s) -
Simonato Michele,
Iyengar Sloka,
BrooksKayal Amy,
Collins Stephen,
Depaulis Antoine,
Howells David W.,
Jensen Frances,
Liao Jing,
Macleod Malcolm R.,
Patel Manisha,
Potschka Heidrun,
Walker Matthew,
Whittemore Vicky,
Sena Emily S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/epi.13908
Subject(s) - epilepsy , epileptogenesis , systematic review , protocol (science) , identification (biology) , disease , task (project management) , medicine , mechanism (biology) , cognition , psychology , neuroscience , medline , computer science , alternative medicine , pathology , biology , biochemistry , philosophy , botany , management , epistemology , economics
Summary Current antiseizure therapy is ineffective in approximately one third of people with epilepsy and is often associated with substantial side effects. In addition, most current therapeutic paradigms offer treatment, but not cure, and no therapies are able to modify the underlying disease, that is, can prevent or halt the process of epileptogenesis or alleviate the cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities. Preclinical research in the field of epilepsy has been extensive, but unfortunately, not all the animal models being used have been validated for their predictive value. The overall goal of TASK 2 of the AES / ILAE Translational Task Force is to organize and coordinate systematic reviews on selected topics regarding animal research in epilepsy. Herein we describe our strategy. In the first part of the paper we provide an overview of the usefulness of systematic reviews and meta‐analysis for preclinical research and explain the essentials for their conduct. Then we describe in detail the protocol for a first systematic review, which will focus on the identification and characterization of outcome measures reported in animal models of epilepsy. The specific goals of this study are to define systematically the phenotypic characteristics of the most commonly used animal models, and to effectively compare these with the manifestations of human epilepsy. This will provide epilepsy researchers with detailed information on the strengths and weaknesses of epilepsy models, facilitating their refinement and future research. Ultimately, this could lead to a refined use of relevant models for understanding the mechanism(s) of the epilepsies and developing novel therapies.