FIGURE 2.

Gonadotropin protocol for rat NSW model of catamenial epilepsy. Rats are treated sequentially with gonadotropins for inducing prolonged elevated serum progesterone levels. On day 11, animals are treated with finasteride, which blocks the conversion of progesterone to the neurosteroid AP, resulting in “neurosteroid withdrawal.” Acute seizure testing is performed on the day following finasteride administration. For studies of spontaneous seizures, the gonadotropin treatment was initiated 5 months after pilocarpine-induced epilepsy. Progesterone and AP plasma levels are represented as dashed lines schematically illustrate time course of the fluctuations in hormone levels (Adapted from Reddy and Rogawski, 2009).