Skip to main content
Log in

Neuronal response in an epileptically excited isolated cortical slab to single electrical stimuli

  • Published:
Neurophysiology Aims and scope

Abstract

Neuronal response to single stimuli was investigated in a cortical slab isolated from immobilized cats before, during, and after onset of induced epileptic states. Neurons of the isolated cortical slab were found to generate EPSP and paroxysmal depolarizing shifts (PDS) in membrane potential (MP) during the development of generalized epileptoid activity; these occurred together with refractory periods. Duration of the latter corresponds with the PDS plateau and repolarizing shifts in MP. Single electrical stimuli induced gradual alteration in PDS as these shifts developed. Neurons still maintain their ability to generate PDS arising in response to presentation of single stimuli once ictal activity has ceased. Postsynaptic response is not thought to play a decisive role in the genesis of epileptoid activity. Nonspecific factors and especially alterations in the concentration of electrogenic ions apparently contribute to this phenomenon.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  1. V. É. Lopantsev and V. D. Taranenko, "Neuronal electrical activity of an epileptic focus produced by electrical stimulation in an isolated cortical slab," Neirofiziologiya,20, No. 3, 357–365 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  2. V. M. Okudzhava, S. M. Papitashvili, and I. A. Mzhaviya, "Inhibitory processes in epileptoid foci of the cat sensorimotor cortex," Fiziol. Zh.,31, No. 5, 589–592 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  3. A. I. Roitvak and I. V. Ocherashvili, "Altered concentration of extracellular potassium in the cortex during electrical stimulation of different parameters," Fiziol. Zh., SSSR,73, No. 2, 277–283 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  4. G. F. Ayala, M. Dichter, R. I. Gumnit, et al., "Genesis of epileptic interictal spikes: new knowledge of cortical feedback systems suggest a neurophysiological explanation of brief paroxysms," Brain Res.,52, No. 1, 1–17 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  5. M. Y. Gutnick, B. W. Connors, and D. A. Prince, "Mechanisms of neocortical epileptogenesis in vitro," J. Neurophysiol.,48, No. 6, 1321–1335 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  6. M. Y. Gutnick and D. A. Prince, "Effects of cortical epileptiform discharges on neuronal activities in cat VPL. 1. Interictal discharges," J. Neurophysiol.,37, No. 6, 1310–1327 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  7. V. V. Hablitz, "Picrotoxin-induced epileptiform activity in hippocampus: role of endogenous versus synaptic factors," J. Neurophysiol.,51, No. 5, 1011–1027 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  8. U. Heinemann and H. D. Lux, "Ceiling of rises in extracellular potassium activity in the cerebral cortex of cats," Brain Res.,120, No. 2, 231–249 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  9. D. Johnston and T. Brown, "Giant synaptic potential hypothesis for epileptiform activity," Science,21, No. 4479, 294–297 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  10. H. Matsumoto, G. F. Ayala, and R. I. Gumnit, "Neuronal behavior and triggering mechanism in cortical epileptic focus," J. Neurophysiol.,32, No. 5, 688–703 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  11. I. L. Noebels and D. A. Prince, "Development of focal seizures in cerebral cortex: role of axon terminal bursting," J. Neurophysiol.,41, No. 5, 1267–1281 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  12. D. A. Prince, "Neurophysiology of epilepsy," Annu. Rev. Neurosci.,1, No. 3, 395–415 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  13. P. A. Schwartzkroin and D. A. Prince, "Cellular and field potential properties of epileptogenic hippocampal slices," Brain Res.,47, No. 1, 117–130 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  14. G. W. Sypert and A. A. Ward, "Changes in extracellular potassium activity during neocortical propagated seizures," Exp. Neurol.,45, No. 1, 19–41 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Additional information

I. I. Mechnikov State University, Odessa. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 198–204, March–April, 1989.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lopantsev, V.É., Taranenko, V.D. Neuronal response in an epileptically excited isolated cortical slab to single electrical stimuli. Neurophysiology 21, 149–153 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056973

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056973

Keywords

Navigation