title: Limbic networks and epileptiform synchronization: the view from the experimental side.
abstract: In this review, we summarize findings obtained in acute and chronic epilepsy models and in particular experiments that have revealed how neuronal networks in the limbic system-which is closely involved in the pathophysiogenesis of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE)-produce hypersynchronous discharges. MTLE is often associated with a typical pattern of brain damage known as mesial temporal sclerosis, and it is one of the most refractory forms of partial epilepsy in adults. Specifically, we will address the cellular and pharmacological features of abnormal electrographic events that, as in MTLE patients, can occur in in vivo and in vitro animal models; these include interictal and ictal discharges along with high-frequency oscillations. In addition, we will consider how different limbic structures made hyperexcitable by acute pharmacological manipulations interact during epileptiform discharge generation. We will also review the electrographic characteristics of two types of seizure onsets that are most commonly seen in human and experimental MTLE as well as in in vitro models of epileptiform synchronization. Finally, we will address the role played by neurosteroids in reducing epileptiform synchronization and in modulating epileptogenesis.
authors: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiology, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Behr
authors: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiology, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Margherita
authors: M
authors: D'Antuono
authors: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiology, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Shabnam
authors: S
authors: Hamidi
authors: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiology, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Rochelle
authors: R
authors: Herrington
authors: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiology, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Maxime
authors: M
authors: Lévesque
authors: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiology, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Pariya
authors: P
authors: Salami
authors: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiology, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Shiri
authors: Institute of Physiology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors: Rüdiger
authors: R
authors: Köhling
authors: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Physiology, Montréal Neurological Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Experimental Medicine, Facoltà di Medicina e Odontoiatria, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy. Electronic address: massimo.avoli@mcgill.ca.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Avoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Entorhinal cortex; Extracellular Ca(2+) concentration; Extracellular K(+) concentration; GABA; High-frequency oscillations; Hippocampus; Ictal discharges; Interictal spikes; Seizure onset; Temporal lobe epilepsy