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Cellular and Network Mechanisms of Spike‐Wave Seizures
Author(s) -
Blumenfeld Hal
Publication year - 2005
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/j.1528-1167.2005.00311.x
Subject(s) - spike and wave , neuroscience , epilepsy , spike (software development) , electroencephalography , neuroimaging , excitatory postsynaptic potential , psychology , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , computer science , software engineering
Summary: Spike‐wave seizures are often considered a relatively “pure” form of epilepsy, with a uniform defect present in all patients and involvement of the whole brain homogenously. Here, we present evidence against these common misconceptions. Rather than a uniform disorder, spike‐wave rhythms arise from the normal inherent network properties of brain excitatory and inhibitory circuits, where they can be provoked by many different insults in several different brain networks. Here we discuss several different cellular and molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the generation of spike‐wave seizures, particularly in idiopathic generalized epilepsy. In addition, we discuss growing evidence that electrical, neuroimaging, and molecular changes in spike‐wave seizures do not involve the entire brain homogenously. Rather, spike‐wave discharges occur selectively in some thalamocortical networks, while sparing others. It is hoped that improved understanding of the heterogeneous defects and selective brain regions involved will ultimately lead to more effective treatments for spike‐wave seizures.