Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on ictogenesis in genetically epileptic EL mice

Genetically epileptic EL mice develop the ictogenesis if they receive tossing-up stimulation from 12 weeks old. We investigated the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the development of ictogenesis in EL mice. Female EL mice have received low (1 Hz)- or high (10 Hz)-frequency rTMS (100% of motor threshold, 300 pulses/day, once a week) from 8 to 19 weeks old. From 12 to 19 weeks, we evaluated the seizure frequency, seizure threshold and duration of seizures. Low-frequency rTMS decreased the frequency of seizure from 12 to 15 weeks. High-frequency rTMS also decreased the frequency of seizure from 15 to 19 weeks. Low and high-frequency rTMS didn´t change the seizure threshold and durations of seizures. Our results suggest that rTMS has the potency to inhibit the development of ictogenesis, but the efficacy is varied according to the frequency of rTMS.