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Mechanisms underlying epileptiform burst discharge
Author(s) -
Schwartzkroin P. A.,
Wyler A. R.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410070202
Subject(s) - neuroscience , excitatory postsynaptic potential , depolarization , epilepsy , extracellular , biophysics , chemistry , biology , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , biochemistry
Studies of hyperexcitable cells in alumina‐gel and penicillin epileptogenic foci suggest that epileptic neurons have intrinsic burst‐generating properties. The burst mechanism may be released or triggered by a number of extrinsic factors which disrupt the normal depolarizing‐hyperpolarizing balance. This paper presents the hypothesis that the most important influence for burst discharge is influx of calcium ions. This excitatory effect is modulated by synaptic inputs, hyperpolarazing conductances, cell morphology and membrane characteristics, and the extracellular milieu. The hypothesis incorporates findings from both penicillin and alumina models of epilepsy and provides experimentally testable concepts for further investigation.