Solid Calcium Carbonate formation detected by SEM-EDS within the epileptic focus of an in vivo epilepsy model of Wistar rats

Abstract

Epilepsy represents a significant health concern, affecting an estimated 2 million individuals in Mexico, with patients enduring more than 70 seizures daily. In the present study, refractory epilepsy was induced in Wistar rats by repeated stimulation with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), ranging from one to one hundred stimulations. Hippocampal tissue was analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDS). The formation of solid calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystals within the epileptic focus where observed. Notably, the concentration of CaCO3 exhibited a direct correlation with the number of stimulations, suggesting a progressive increase over the course of these events. This study puts forth a hypothesis elucidating the mechanism behind CaCO3 crystal formation in response to PTZ-induced seizures. Further research is needed to ascertain whether there exists a correlation between the dysregulation of calcium ions (Ca2+) in epilepsy and the formation of CaCO3. This inquiry opens avenues for deeper understanding and potential advancements in the diagnosis of epilepsy and related neurological disorders.