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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Combining Imaging and Electrophysiology to Visualize and Record Spreading Depolarizations in Mice

Combining Imaging and Electrophysiology to Visualize and Record Spreading Depolarizations in Mice

Published on: October 4, 2024

Spreading depolarization and its influence on epileptiform activity.

Maxime Lévesque¹, Rüdiger Köhling², Massimo Avoli^1,3

¹Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.

|November 8, 2025

Summary

Spreading depolarization (SD) disrupts brain activity and ion balance, potentially occurring in epilepsy. Its exact role in seizure generation and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy requires further investigation.

Keywords:

ictogenesis seizures spreading depolarization sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Epileptology
Cellular Electrophysiology

Background:

Spreading depolarization (SD) is a transient disruption of neuronal and glial electrographic activity.
SD involves significant ion homeostasis changes, notably extracellular potassium increases ([K+]o).
SD is observed in neurological conditions like migraine and traumatic brain injury, and hypothesized in epilepsy.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the cellular and pharmacological characteristics of SD.
To examine the relationship between SD and focal seizures.
To clarify SD's role in seizure generation and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

Main Methods:

Review of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies.
Analysis of pharmacological manipulations inducing SD.
Examination of concomitant focal seizures and SD events.

Main Results:

SD is characterized by neuronal and glial depolarization and ion shifts.
Evidence suggests SD may influence seizure generation, with conflicting reports on whether it controls or facilitates ictogenesis.
The precise role of SD in epilepsy and SUDEP remains unclear.

Conclusions:

Further research is essential to elucidate SD's role in focal seizure generation.
Additional studies are needed to define SD's contribution to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
Understanding SD mechanisms is crucial for neurological disease management.