Analysis of mechanisms in the initiation and perpetuation of epileptiform activity

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Analysis of mechanisms in the initiation and perpetuation of epileptiform activity Rika Barmashenko1*, R. Bajorat1, Stefan Hefft2, Ad Aertsen3, Andreas Schulze-Bonhage2 and R. Köhling1 1 University of Rostock, Germany 2 BCCN Freiburg, Germany 3 University Hospital Freiburg, Germany This project is characterized by joint experimental approaches which contribute to the development of new network models of one of the most common neurological diseases - epilepsy. Basic parameters of synaptic transmission and membrane properties in different neuronal cell types in animal models and in the human will be determined. These biophysical parameters will serve to establish realistic models of computational behavior of neurons and neuronal networks. This in turn will permit to establish models with increasing complexity and to predict both functional and dysfunctional synchronization patterns. These predictions will then be tested experimentally in order to validate the models. In this project, the role of inhibitory interneurons for generation of interictal and ictal epileptic activity will be assessed by three complementary approaches: (1) Electrophysiological measurements in slices from acute animal models of focal epilepsy (Physiology, University of Rostock), both in normal and chronically epileptic tissue, started to determine the role of different types of interneurons at initiation of epilepsy and interictal-ictal transitions. Further we investigate the role of the GABAergic system and of different chloride-cotransporters in functional changes, that observed in the hippocampus by chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. (2) In-vitro electrophysiological investigations of human slices of neocortical focal epilepsies (focal cortical dysplasia, Epilepsy Center, University Hospital Freiburg) aiming at a detailed biophysical description of the main properties of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the epileptogenic tissue. (3) Transfer of experimental data from (1) and (2) for modelling of the behaviour of individual interneuronal subtypes as well as global cortical networks at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Freiburg. Preliminary results suggest that in a model of chronic epilepsy, postsynaptic changes of GABAergic function occur as reversal potentials of GABA-induced currents are shifted to more positive values, which can contribute to hyperexcitability and abnormal synchronisation within the epileptogenic hippocampus. In the further course of the project, a detailed analysis of interneuron-principal neuron interactions will be undertaken. Funded by the BMBF: 01GQ0751 / 01GQ0752. Conference: Bernstein Symposium 2008, Munich, Germany, 8 Oct - 10 Oct, 2008. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: All Abstracts Citation: Barmashenko R, Bajorat R, Hefft S, Aertsen A, Schulze-Bonhage A and Köhling R (2008). Analysis of mechanisms in the initiation and perpetuation of epileptiform activity. Front. Comput. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: Bernstein Symposium 2008. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.10.2008.01.027 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 13 Nov 2008; Published Online: 13 Nov 2008. * Correspondence: Rika Barmashenko, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany, rika.bajorat@med.uni-rostock.de Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Rika Barmashenko R. Bajorat Stefan Hefft Ad Aertsen Andreas Schulze-Bonhage R. Köhling Google Rika Barmashenko R. Bajorat Stefan Hefft Ad Aertsen Andreas Schulze-Bonhage R. Köhling Google Scholar Rika Barmashenko R. Bajorat Stefan Hefft Ad Aertsen Andreas Schulze-Bonhage R. Köhling PubMed Rika Barmashenko R. Bajorat Stefan Hefft Ad Aertsen Andreas Schulze-Bonhage R. Köhling Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.