Although chemokines have been shown playing a role in herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), its effect on behavioral development has not been investigated. Previously we demonstrated that increased levels of proinflammatory chemokines, CXCL10 and CCL2, in mice infected with wild type McKrae strain, while these chemokines were not altered in .UOL mutant virus, a virus in which virulence gene UOL has been deleted in the parental McKrae virus and its replication capacity is similar to the parental virus in infected mouse brains. To understand the association of the chemokines with the behavioral changes, systematic investigation on behavioral patterns and pathobiology of infected brains were performed. Behavioral measurements by open field studies revealed that mice infected with McKrae had much more aggressive behaviors, while significant lower activities were seen in .UOL infected group, and by hindlimb clasping studies, dancing mice and loss of balance were more frequent observed in wild type McKrae infected group than .UOL group. Immunohistochemistry staining on brain sections showed that significantly higher levels of cells expressing CXCL10 and CCL2 in brains of McKrae infected group compared to that of .UOL group. Furthermore, significant neuronal loss in McKrae infected group was registered during acute infection. These results indicate that pro-inflammatory chemo- kines in conjunction with neuronal degeneration may play a critical role in abnormal behaviors in HSV-1 infection. Keywords: HSE, Seizure, Epilepsy, Abnormal doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.04.033 [P27] Anticonvulsant effect of lithium chloride on the pentylenetetrazole-induced clonic seizure in mice: Interaction with voltage-dependent calcium channel and NMDA receptor antagonists M. Ghasemi a, ⁎, H. Shafaroodi b , S. Nazarbeiki a , H. Meskar a , A. Ghasemi a , A.R. Dehpour a , a Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, Islamic Republic of; b Islamic Azad University, Iran, Islamic Republic of Background: Lithium as well as sveral N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) antagonists could be of beneficial in treatment of depressive disorders. Moreover, lithium, NMDAr antagonists and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) modulate seizure susceptibility in a variety of models of seizures in animals and epileptic patients. However, the exact mechanism of lithium has not been yet elucidated. In this study, using several CCBs (nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem) and NMDAr antagonists (ketamine and MK-801) the involvement of calcium signaling in the effects of lithium chloride on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure was evaluated. Methods: Clonic seizure threshold was determined by infusion of PTZ (0.5%) at a constant rate of 1 ml/min into the tail vein of male Swiss mice (23–29 g). Minimal dose of PTZ (mg/kg of mice weight) needed to induce clonic seizure was considered as an index of seizure threshold. Results: Lithium (5–100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the seizure threshold. CCBs (5–20 mg/kg, i.p.) and NMDAr antagonists (0.1-5 mg/kg ketamine and 0.01-0.1mg/kg, i.p.) also exerted a dose- dependent anticonconvulsant effects. Non-effective doses of CCBs (nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem; 5 mg/kg, i.p.) when combined with non-effective dose of lithium (5 mg.kg, i.p.) exerted a significant anticonvulsant effects. Co-administration of noneffective doses of either MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg, i.p.) or ketamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) with 5 mg/kg lithium significantly increased the seizure threshold. Conclusion: Lithium increases the PTZ-induced clonic seizure threshold in mice and there is an interaction between lithium with either CCBs or NMDAr antagonists in this effect, suggesting a role for Ca 2+ signaling in the anticonvulsant effects of lithium in this model of seizure. Since lithium, NMDAr antagonists and CCBs have well- known antidepressant effects, using low doses of lithium combined with low doses of either CCBs or NMDAr antagonists could be of therapeutic value in treating both depression and seizures in patients. Keywords: Lithium, NMDA receptor antagonist, Calcium channel blocker, Clonic seizure doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.04.034 [P28] PEARLS depression treatment for individuals with epilepsy: A randomized controlled trial P. Ciechanowski a, ⁎, N. Chaytor a , J. Miller a , R. Fraser a , J. Russo a , J. Unutzer a , et-al., b , a University of Washington, United States; b Geisinger Health System, United States Background: Depression is associated with higher rates of suicide and lower levels of functioning and quality of life in individuals with epilepsy. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effectiveness of PEARLS, a home-based program for managing depression in adult individuals with epilepsy and clinically significant acute and chronic depression. Methods: Delivered by masters-level counselors, PEARLS is a collaborative care intervention consisting of problem solving treat- ment, behavioral activation, and psychiatric consultation. Patients were recruited through the University of Washington (UW) Regional Epilepsy Center or associated UW neurology clinics. The PEARLS intervention integrated collaborative clinical care between epileptol- ogists, neurologists, psychiatrists, physician assistants and counselors. Patients were randomly assigned to receive the PEARLS intervention (N = 40) or usual care (N = 40). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Results: Study patients were on 1 – 4 antiepileptic drugs (mean= 1.6), had a mean of 2.9 chronic medical conditions other than epilepsy, and 70% were unemployed. In the prior 6 months, 74% had ≥ 1 seizure, about half had ≥ 1 ER visit, and 20% were hospita- lized. Antidepressant medications changed in 25.7% of patients receiving PEARLS vs. 3.4% in usual care patients, and 31.4% of PEARLS vs. 10.3% of usual care patients changed anti-epileptic medications. Despite severe depression (mean baseline HSCL-20 scores= 2.0), an average of six in-home visits and three 10-minute phone calls resulted in a significant drop in depression symptoms (p b .005) and lower suicidal ideation (p = .025) between baseline and 12 months in the PEARLS intervention group, compared to usual care. Conclusions: The PEARLS program (pearlsprogram.org) – a community-integrated, home-based treatment for depression – effectively reduces depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in adults with epilepsy and co-morbid depression. Keywords: Epilepsy, Depression, Suicide, Collaborative care doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.04.035 [P30] Risk taking behaviour in Norwegian youth with epilepsy K.Å. Alfstad a, ⁎, J. Clench-Aas b , B. Van Roy c , P. Mowinckel a , L. Gjerstad a,d , M.I. Lossius a , et-al., a Oslo University Hospital, Norway; b Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway; c Akershus University Hospital, Norway; d University of Oslo, Norway Introduction: Behavioural problems are commonly associated with epilepsy. In this population based material we examine risk behaviour in youth with epilepsy aged 13–19 years compared to controls. Abstracts 189