Propagation of epileptiform activity on a submillimeter scale

J Clin Neurophysiol. 2010 Dec;27(6):406-11. doi: 10.1097/WNP.0b013e3181fdf8a1.

Abstract

Microseizures are highly focal low-frequency epileptiform-appearing events recorded from the neocortex of epilepsy patients. Because of their tiny, often submillimeter distribution, they may be regarded as a high-resolution window into the epileptic process, providing an excellent opportunity to study the fine temporal structure of their origin and spread. A 16 mm² 96-microelectrode array with 400-μm interelectrode spacing was implanted in seven patients undergoing invasive EEG monitoring for medically refractory epilepsy. Seven microdischarge populations were tested for a substantial contribution by volume conduction to the observed waveform amplitudes. Single-unit activity was examined for specific evidence of neural activity at multiple sites within the microdischarge fields. We found that microdischarges appear to originate at a highly focal source location, likely within a single cortical macrocolumn, and spread to local and more distant sites via neural propagation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / pathology*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Microelectrodes
  • Neocortex / pathology
  • Neocortex / physiopathology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Wavelet Analysis