Ontogenetic development of rhythmic thalamo-cortical phenomena in the rat

Three rhythmic cortical phenomena (rhythmic after-discharges, incremental responses and self-sustained after-discharges formed by spike-and-wave rhythm) were elicited by electrical stimulation of thalamic nuclei during ontogenesis in rats. All three phenomena could be recorded for the first time at the age of 12 days and they matured until the 18th postnatal day. Possible explanation for the delayed development of these rhythmic thalamo-cortical phenomena in comparison with single thalamo-cortical responses are discussed.