Experimental epileptic discharge can be transmitted between 2 brains in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To identify whether epileptic discharges can be conducted out of the brain according to the principle of a lightning rod.


METHODS
This experimental study was conducted at Central South University, Xiangya Hospital, Hunan, China between 2005 and 2008. Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with intra hippocampus and intra frontal lobe electrodes, and randomized to 3 groups: (A) a group that was kindled via stimulation of intra-hippocampus injection of penicillin, (B) a group that was stimulated via a copper wire connected to the intra-hippocampus electrodes of group A, (C) a group composed of non-stimulated, control rats. The behavioral changes and epileptiform activity were assessed by both Racine Grade and electrocorticogram (ECoG).


RESULTS
The intrahippocampal ECoG recordings were coincident with clinical seizures, electrographic seizures occurred not only in the injected hippocampus group A rats, but also in the connected group B rats. However, there were no visible seizures or ECoG burst at any time in group C rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Epileptic discharge can be conducted out of the brain, which may open new therapeutic approaches for epilepsy.
Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P R China.
Mutasem M
MM
Abuhamed
Xiao
X
Bo
Song
S
Zhi