A neural model theory leading to kindling effect of epilepsy.

Abstract

The dynamics of neural nets constructed of discrete populations of formal neurons were investigated, beginning with the study of single probabilistic nets which were called netlets. The dynamics of these netlets was extended to include steady or slowly varying excitatory or inhibitory inputs. Results obtained with this approach showed simple hysteresis phenomena. However, by considering that the neural connections can be set up by means of chemical markers carried by the individual neurons the dynamics of such systems exhibits not only simple hysteresis but also multiple phenomena. Such hysteresis loops may be considered to represent the basis for short-term memory. The later study of probabilistic neural nets with chemical markers was generalized by considering the intrinsic noise of the system, caused by the spontaneous release of synaptic transmitter substance. On the basis of these studies of noisy neural nets we proposed a model for epileptic phenomena and a theory leading to kindling effect of epilepsy.