Thalamic low threshold calcium current in a genetic model of absence epilepsy.
The low threshold calcium current (IT) in thalamo-cortical neurones contributes to the generation of spike and wave discharges (SWDs) characteristic of generalized, non-convulsive absence epilepsy. The biophysical properties of this current were analysed in dorsal lateral geniculate neurones from the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS+). No difference was found in the voltage dependence and kinetics of IT between GAERS+ and rats of the non epileptic control strain (GAERS-). Thus, a dysfunction of IT does not appear to underlie the occurrence of SWDs in absence epilepsy.
Guyon
A
A
Département de Neurochimie-Anatomie, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Vergnes
M
M
Leresche
N
N
D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000166:cytology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
D015220:Calcium Channels