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Dynamics of directional coupling underlying spike-wave discharges
M V Sysoeva1, A Lüttjohann2, G van Luijtelaar3
1Yuri Gagarin State Technical University of Saratov, Saratov, Russia; Saratov Branch of Kotel'nikov Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics of RAS, Saratov, Russia.
Neuroscience
|December 4, 2015
Summary
Spike and wave discharges (SWDs) in absence epilepsy initiate with increased cortical and thalamic coupling. Seizure termination involves a surge in network interactions, potentially acting as an endogenous brake.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Epileptology
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Spike and wave discharges (SWDs) are the hallmark of absence epilepsy.
- Understanding the dynamic interactions within cortico-thalamic networks is crucial for elucidating SWD mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the initiation, maintenance, and termination mechanisms of SWDs.
- To analyze the dynamics and directionality of interactions between the neocortex and thalamic nuclei during SWDs.
Main Methods:
- Local-field potential recordings were obtained from WAG/Rij rats.
- Electrodes targeted the somatosensory cortex and specific thalamic nuclei (rRTN, cRTN, VPM, ATN, PO).
- Time-variant adapted nonlinear Granger causality was employed to analyze neural interactions.
Main Results:
- Cortico-cortical coupling increased pre-SWD onset.
- Cortico-thalamic and thalamo-cortical coupling evolved from unidirectional to bidirectional.
- Seizure onset involved a transient decrease in coupling, with cortex-cRTN maintaining influence; SWD maintenance showed minimal changes except for cortex-cRTN unidirectional coupling.
- SWD termination was associated with a gradual increase in bidirectional coupling.
Conclusions:
- SWD initiation involves progressive intracortical coupling followed by selective cortico-thalamic and intrathalamic coupling.
- During SWD maintenance, cortical influence on the cRTN persists despite decreased coupling in other pairs.
- SWD termination appears to be mediated by a strengthening of network coupling, possibly an endogenous braking mechanism.
Keywords:
WAG/Rij ratsabsence epilepsycortexnetwork analysisthalamustime-variant adapted nonlinear Granger causalityMore Related Videos
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