Intrinsic optical signal imaging of neocortical seizures: the 'epileptic dip'

Focal neocortical seizures, induced by injection of 4-aminopyridine, were imaged in the rat neocortex using the intrinsic optical signal, with incident light at various wavelengths. We observed focal, reproducible and prolonged reflectance drops following seizure onset, regardless of wavelength, in the ictal onset zone. A persistent drop in light reflectance with incident orange light, which corresponds to a decrease in oxygenated hemoglobin, was observed. We describe this phenomenon as an 'epileptic dip' as it is reminiscent of the 'initial dip' observed using the intrinsic optical signal, and also with blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging, after normal sensory processing, although with much longer duration. This persistent ictal ischemia was confirmed by direct measurement of tissue oxygenation using oxygen-sensitive electrodes.