[The spread and inhibition of epileptic processes, findings with the kindling model in the cat]

The study was undertaken to describe some characteristics of subcortical brain activity during the development of an experimentally induced seizure disorder in the cat, as well as to test inhibitory effects of caudate counterstimulation. A further objective was to assess the use of closed circuit TV monitoring for the evaluation of clinical symptoms in an experimental model of limbic epilepsy. The analysis of event related potentials, spectral coherences and phases was especially suitable in order to detect a gradual lowering of the seizure threshold during the establishment of a unilateral Nucl. amygdalae epileptic focus. The results demonstrated evidence for the proceeding importance of hippocampal involvement during the development of seizure activity originating in the ipsilateral amygdala. No evidence, however, could be found for the existence of inhibitory functions triggered by stimulation of the ipsilateral caudate nucleus. The simultaneous split-screen TV monitoring of EEG and partial complex symptoms proved to be a valuable tool for the documentation of seizure patterns during the kindling procedure.