Effects of hyperbaric and hyperoxic conditions on amygdala-kindled seizures in rat

The kindling effect refers to an experimental model of epilepsy which involves an intermittent application of focal electrical stimulation to some areas of the brain. Bilateral seizures are obtained after about 15 stimulations of the amygdala in the rat. We studied the kindling effect under hyperbaric-hyperoxic conditions. In kindled rats, simulated diving significantly reduced interictal spiking. This effect was specific to the hyperoxic condition and did not occur in the normoxic-hyperbaric condition. In addition, this experiment underscored the role of stress (here, confinement stress) on the occurrence of seizures.