title: The pathophysiology of focal epilepsy: neurophysiological considerations.
abstract: The study of epilepsy serves to emphasize the importance of integrating basic research with clinical data. In this selective review, the results of recent experiments using intracellular recording techniques, ion-specific microelectrodes, and a methodology suitable for studying mammalian cortex in vitro are discussed in terms of cellular phenomena which underlie clinical observations made in epileptic patients. This information has begun to clarify: (1) the changes in neuronal behavior associated with interictal and ictal events; (2) alterations in local ionic microenvironment which occur during focal epileptogenesis; (3) intrinsic control mechanisms which serve to restrict seizure spread; (4) neuronal characteristics which account for the differences in seizure patterns seen in infants and adults; and (5) the possible long-term consequences of recurrent local neuronal hyperexcitability.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009474:Neurons / Q000503:physiopathology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium