The role of corpus callosum in experimental epileptogenesis. A brief survey of literature.
The authors briefly summarize the experimental papers dealing with the role of corpus callosum in experimental epileptogenesis published over more than half a century. On the whole, the experimental work concerns more electro-encephalographic findings than epileptic manifestations in animals. The papers taken into account are classified in two main groups: I) positive findings supporting the efficacy of callosotomy in preventing generalization of initially localized seizures. II) papers failing to demonstrate any positive effect of commissurotomy on the generalization of discharges. On these grounds, experimental studies lack of homogeneity and cannot constitute a reliable basis for making surgical decision in clinical practice. However some remarks of practical use can be derived: a) the usefulness of the corpus callosum division for the management of secondarily generalized epilepsies appears to be sufficiently demonstrated in most studies; b) then is also evidence that the corpus callosum conveys inhibitory and/or suppressive stimuli as well, the practical value of which is still to be established; d) the corpus callosum is the most important but not the only anatomic structure for spreading seizures. Anterior and posterior commissures, thalamus, tegmentum tectum may play the same role.
Papo
I
I
Neurosurgical Division, Regional Hospital, Ancona.
Quattrini
A
A
D000818:Animals; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology*