The Albino Xenopus laevis Tadpole as a Novel Model of Developmental Seizures

Here we describe a novel model system based on the transparent albino Xenopus laevis tadpole which is particularly well suited for the study of seizures and their sequelae within the intact developing brain. This system allows in vivo imaging of neuronal circuit activity with single-cell resolution, as well as acute and long-term imaging of neuronal growth and synapse formation, within the intact unanesthetized brain. Mounting evidence supports a strong role for neuronal transmission in regulating major aspects of brain circuit formation, including synaptogenesis, synapse strengthening and elimination, as well as axonal and dendritic arbor growth. Given the high incidence of seizures during periods of early brain development in humans, such model systems are necessary to better understand how paroxysmal seizure activity may alter activity-dependent processes occurring during development and whether early-life seizures induce persistent aberrant alterations in neural circuitry.