Epileptogenic cortical foci induced with ouabain: Sodium, potassium, water content, and sodium-potassium-activated ATPase activity

Abstract

Sodium, potassium, water content, and sodium-potassium-activated ATPase (Na-K-ATPase) activity have been estimated in epileptogenic cortical foci induced in rats both by the application of ouabain to the surface of cerebral cortex and by cortical freezing followed by ouabain application. Cortical edema with an accompanying increase in sodium and decrease in potassium was produced by both procedures with a greater degree of edema resulting from the combination of freezing and ouabain than from ouabain alone. No change in Na-K-ATPase activity could be demonstrated in the ouabain focus, and the increase in activity of this enzyme previously found in cortical lesions produced by freezing alone was not prevented by the addition of ouabain.