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Enhanced thalamo‐hippocampal synchronization during focal limbic seizures
Author(s) -
Aracri Patrizia,
Curtis Marco,
Forcaia Greta,
Uva Laura
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/epi.14521
Subject(s) - bursting , neuroscience , thalamus , hippocampal formation , hippocampus , entorhinal cortex , epilepsy , electrophysiology , psychology
Summary Objective The key factors that promote the termination of focal seizures have not been fully clarified. The buildup of neuronal synchronization during seizures has been proposed as one of the possible activity‐dependent, self‐limiting mechanisms. We investigate if increased thalamo‐cortical coupling contributes to enhance synchronization during the late phase of focal seizure‐like events ( SLE s) generated in limbic regions. Methods Recordings were simultaneously performed in the nucleus reuniens of the thalamus, in the hippocampus and in the entorhinal cortex of the isolated guinea pig brain during focal bicuculline‐induced SLE s with low voltage fast activity at onset. Results Spectral coherence and cross‐correlation analysis demonstrated a progressive thalamo‐cortical entrainment and synchronization in the generation of bursting activity that characterizes the final part of SLE s. The hippocampus is the first activated structure at the beginning of SLE bursting phase and thalamo‐hippocampal synchronization is progressively enhanced as SLE develops. The thalamus takes the lead in generating the bursting discharge as SLE end approaches. Significance As suggested by clinical studies performed during pre‐surgical intracranial monitoring, our data confirm a role of the midline thalamus in leading the synchronous bursting activity at the end of focal seizures in the mesial temporal regions.