Nonlinear Measure of EEG Complexity in the Eker Rat model of Autism Disorder: a Pilot Study

Abstract

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a severe pathological condition often accompanied by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and epilepsy. Recently, conclusions resulting from exploration of animal models suggested inhibition of mTOR to be a potential effective treatment. The EEG activity in Tsc2+/- (Eker) rat model has never been explored before. In this pilot study, we performed nonlinear EEG analysis to characterize its significant alterations resulting from treatment based on mTORi (inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin), as well as from induction of developmental status epilepticus (DSE). Our results based of approximate entropy calculations confirmed that Everolimus (mTOR inhibitor) has a different influence on the regularity of EEG oscillations in wild-type and Tsc2+/- individuals. Moreover, we did not observe any alteration of EEG pattern complexity in adult rats with a history of DSE, and conclude that genotype (Tsc2+/-) and DSE state are probably influenced by different mechanisms of mTORi, with potential for clinical practice.