Swimming exercise decreases the absence-like epileptic activity in WAG/Rij rats

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of long (60 min/day), moderate (30 min/day) and short (15 min/day) term daily swimming exercise programs for 90 days on durations and the spike-wave discharges (SWDs) seen in the electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings of WAG/Rij rats with absence epilepsy. Materials and methods: Thirty-five adult male rats were divided into 5 groups as; Group 1: Control, Group 2: Sham (daily exposed to shallow water), Group 3: 15 min/day swimming exercise, Group 4: 30 min/day swimming exercise, Group 5: 60 min/day swimming exercise. After 90 days of swimming exercise program; ECoG recordings were taken for 2 h. Total number and cumulative length of SWDs in the recordings were used for evaluation of the seizures. Results: Both of the SWD parameters were significantly decreased in all swimming exercise groups compared to control and sham groups. The moderate swimming group (30 min/day) was found the most effective exercise program considering both of the SWD parameters of absence epilepsy. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide electrophysiologic evidence for the role of swimming exercise on the modulation of genetic absence epilepsy seizures in WAG/Rij rats.