An immunological model of epilepsy: seizures induced by antibodies to GM1 ganglioside.

Following observations that the intracerebral injection into rats of antiserum to brain gangliosides resulted in recurrent epileptiform activity and that seizure activity was not seen if antibodies were removed by absorption of the antiserum with pure GM1 ganglioside, a study was undertaken to establish characteristics of the immunological agents used to produce this model of epilepsy. It was determined that the potencies (antibody titers with GM1 ganglioside) of antiganglioside sera can be correlated with the intensities of epileptiform activity they induce; that immunoglobulin fractions from antiganglioside sera are even more effective biologically than the antisera; and that antibodies to GM1 ganglioside purified by affinity chromatography can also induce recurrent epileptiform discharges but are not as effective as either native antiserum or immunoglobulin fractions.