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Witteveen IF, McCoy E, Holsworth TD, Shen CZ, Chang W, Nance MG, Belkowitz AR, Dougald A, Puglia MH, Ribic A. Preterm birth accelerates the maturation of spontaneous and resting activity in the visual cortex. Front Integr Neurosci 2023; 17:1149159. [PMID: 37255843 PMCID: PMC10225509 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1149159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Prematurity is among the leading risks for poor neurocognitive outcomes. The brains of preterm infants show alterations in structure and electrical activity, but the underlying circuit mechanisms are unclear. To address this, we performed a cross-species study of the electrophysiological activity in the visual cortices of prematurely born infants and mice. Using electroencephalography (EEG) in a sample of healthy preterm (N = 29) and term (N = 28) infants, we found that the maturation of the aperiodic EEG component was accelerated in the preterm cohort, with a significantly flatter 1/f slope when compared to the term infants. The flatter slope was a result of decreased spectral power in the theta and alpha bands and was correlated with the degree of prematurity. To determine the circuit and cellular changes that potentially mediate the changes in 1/f slope after preterm birth, we used in vivo electrophysiology in preterm mice and found that, similar to infants, preterm birth results in a flattened 1/f slope. We analyzed neuronal activity in the visual cortex of preterm (N = 6) and term (N = 9) mice and found suppressed spontaneous firing of neurons. Using immunohistochemistry, we further found an accelerated maturation of inhibitory circuits. In both preterm mice and infants, the functional maturation of the cortex was accelerated, underscoring birth as a critical checkpoint in cortical maturation. Our study points to a potential mechanism of preterm birth-related changes in resting neural activity, highlighting the utility of a cross-species approach in studying the neural circuit mechanisms of preterm birth-related neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle F. Witteveen
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Emily McCoy
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Troy D. Holsworth
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Catherine Z. Shen
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Winnie Chang
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Madelyn G. Nance
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Allison R. Belkowitz
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Avery Dougald
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Meghan H. Puglia
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Adema Ribic
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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Witteveen IF, McCoy E, Holsworth TD, Shen CZ, Chang W, Nance MG, Belkowitz AR, Dougald A, Puglia MH, Ribic A. Preterm birth accelerates the maturation of spontaneous and resting activity in the visual cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.20.524993. [PMID: 36711801 PMCID: PMC9882279 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.20.524993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Prematurity is among the leading risks for poor neurocognitive outcomes. The brains of preterm infants show alterations in structure and electrical activity, but the underlying circuit mechanisms are unclear. To address this, we performed a cross-species study of the electrophysiological activity in the visual cortices of prematurely born infants and mice. Using electroencephalography (EEG) in a sample of healthy preterm (N=29) and term (N=28) infants, we found that the maturation of the aperiodic EEG component was accelerated in the preterm cohort, with a significantly flatter 1/f slope when compared to the term infants. The flatter slope was a result of decreased spectral power in the theta and alpha bands and was correlated with the degree of prematurity. To determine the circuit and cellular changes that potentially mediate the changes in 1/f slope after preterm birth, we used in vivo electrophysiology in preterm mice and found that, similar to infants, preterm birth results in a flattened 1/f slope. We analyzed neuronal activity in the visual cortex of preterm mice (N=6 preterm and 9 term mice) and found suppressed spontaneous firing of neurons. Using immunohistochemistry, we further found an accelerated maturation of inhibitory circuits. In both preterm mice and infants, the functional maturation of the cortex was accelerated, underscoring birth as a critical checkpoint in cortical maturation. Our study points to a potential mechanism of preterm birth-related changes in resting neural activity, highlighting the utility of a cross-species approach in studying the neural circuit mechanisms of preterm birth-related neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle F. Witteveen
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904
| | - Emily McCoy
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Troy D. Holsworth
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904
| | - Catherine Z. Shen
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904
| | - Winnie Chang
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Madelyn G. Nance
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Allison R. Belkowitz
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Avery Dougald
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Meghan H. Puglia
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Adema Ribic
- Department of Psychology, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
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Hamilton KA, Wang Y, Raefsky SM, Berkowitz S, Spangler R, Suire CN, Camandola S, Lipsky RH, Mattson MP. Mice lacking the transcriptional regulator Bhlhe40 have enhanced neuronal excitability and impaired synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196223. [PMID: 29715265 PMCID: PMC5929507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bhlhe40 is a transcription factor that is highly expressed in the hippocampus; however, its role in neuronal function is not well understood. Here, we used Bhlhe40 null mice on a congenic C57Bl6/J background (Bhlhe40 KO) to investigate the impact of Bhlhe40 on neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Bhlhe40 KO CA1 neurons had increased miniature excitatory post-synaptic current amplitude and decreased inhibitory post-synaptic current amplitude, indicating CA1 neuronal hyperexcitability. Increased CA1 neuronal excitability was not associated with increased seizure severity as Bhlhe40 KO relative to +/+ (WT) control mice injected with the convulsant kainic acid. However, significant reductions in long term potentiation and long term depression at CA1 synapses were observed in Bhlhe40 KO mice, indicating impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Behavioral testing for spatial learning and memory on the Morris Water Maze (MWM) revealed that while Bhlhe40 KO mice performed similarly to WT controls initially, when the hidden platform was moved to the opposite quadrant Bhlhe40 KO mice showed impairments in relearning, consistent with decreased hippocampal synaptic plasticity. To investigate possible mechanisms for increased neuronal excitability and decreased synaptic plasticity, a whole genome mRNA expression profile of Bhlhe40 KO hippocampus was performed followed by a chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) screen of the validated candidate genes for Bhlhe40 protein-DNA interactions consistent with transcriptional regulation. Of the validated genes identified from mRNA expression analysis, insulin degrading enzyme (Ide) had the most significantly altered expression in hippocampus and was significantly downregulated on the RNA and protein levels; although Bhlhe40 did not occupy the Ide gene by ChIP-Seq. Together, these findings support a role for Bhlhe40 in regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and that indirect regulation of Ide transcription may be involved in these phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A. Hamilton
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Yue Wang
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sophia M. Raefsky
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sean Berkowitz
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ryan Spangler
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Caitlin N. Suire
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Simonetta Camandola
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert H. Lipsky
- Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Neurosciences, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Mark P. Mattson
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Tang Y, Liu X, Zhao J, Tan X, Liu B, Zhang G, Sun L, Han D, Chen H, Wang M. Hypothermia-induced ischemic tolerance is associated with Drp1 inhibition in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury of mice. Brain Res 2016; 1646:73-83. [PMID: 27235868 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Excessive mitochondrial fission activation has been implicated in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Hypothermia is effective in preventing cerebral ischemic damage. However, effects of hypothermia on ischemia-induced mitochondrial fission activation is not well known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether hypothermia protect the brain by inhibiting mitochondrial fission-related proteins activation following cerebral IR injury. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transient forebrain ischemia induced by 15min of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). Mice were divided into three groups (n=48 each): Hypothermia (HT) group, with mild hypothermia (32-34°C) for 4h; Normothermia (NT) group, similarly as HT group except for cooling; Sham group, with vessels exposed but without occlusion or cooling. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Nissl staining, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and behavioral testing (n=6 each) demonstrated that hypothermia significantly decreased ischemia-induced neuronal injury. The expressions of Dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1) and Cytochrome C (Cyto C) (n=6 each) in mice hippocampus were measured at 3, 6, 24, and 72h of reperfusion. IR injury significantly increased expressions of total Drp1, phosphorylated Drp1 (P-Drp1 S616) and Cyto C under normothermia. However, mild hypothermia inhibited Drp1 activation and Cyto C cytosolic release, preserved neural cells integrity and reduced neuronal necrosis and apoptosis. These findings indicated that mild hypothermia-induced neuroprotective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury is associated with suppressing mitochondrial fission-related proteins activation and apoptosis execution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Xueshi Road 1, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Xiaojie Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Central Hospital, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xueying Tan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Shandong, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Gaofeng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Lixin Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Dengyang Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Huailong Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Shandong, China.
| | - Mingshan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Shandong, China.
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Wang J, Wu C, Peng J, Patel N, Huang Y, Gao X, Aljarallah S, Eubanks JH, McDonald R, Zhang L. Early-Onset Convulsive Seizures Induced by Brain Hypoxia-Ischemia in Aging Mice: Effects of Anticonvulsive Treatments. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144113. [PMID: 26630670 PMCID: PMC4668036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with an increased risk of seizures/epilepsy. Stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and cardiac arrest related brain injury are two major causative factors for seizure development in this patient population. With either etiology, seizures are a poor prognostic factor. In spite of this, the underlying pathophysiology of seizure development is not well understood. In addition, a standardized treatment regimen with anticonvulsants and outcome assessments following treatment has yet to be established for these post-ischemic seizures. Previous studies have modeled post-ischemic seizures in adult rodents, but similar studies in aging/aged animals, a group that mirrors a higher risk elderly population, remain sparse. Our study therefore aimed to investigate early-onset seizures in aging animals using a hypoxia-ischemia (HI) model. Male C57 black mice 18-20-month-old underwent a unilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery followed by a systemic hypoxic episode (8% O2 for 30 min). Early-onset seizures were detected using combined behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring. Brain injury was assessed histologically at different times post HI. Convulsive seizures were observed in 65% of aging mice post-HI but not in control aging mice following either sham surgery or hypoxia alone. These seizures typically occurred within hours of HI and behaviorally consisted of jumping, fast running, barrel-rolling, and/or falling (loss of the righting reflex) with limb spasms. No evident discharges during any convulsive seizures were seen on cortical-hippocampal EEG recordings. Seizure development was closely associated with acute mortality and severe brain injury on brain histological analysis. Intra-peritoneal injections of lorazepam and fosphenytoin suppressed seizures and improved survival but only when applied prior to seizure onset and not after. These findings together suggest that seizures are a major contributing factor to acute mortality in aging mice following severe brain ischemia and that early anticonvulsive treatment may prevent seizure genesis and improve overall outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Wang
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chiping Wu
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessie Peng
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nisarg Patel
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yayi Huang
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaoxing Gao
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Salman Aljarallah
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - James H. Eubanks
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Liang Zhang
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Wu C, Wang J, Peng J, Patel N, Huang Y, Gao X, Aljarallah S, Eubanks JH, McDonald R, Zhang L. Modeling early-onset post-ischemic seizures in aging mice. Exp Neurol 2015; 271:1-12. [PMID: 25943585 PMCID: PMC4758832 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is the leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in the aged population, with post-stroke seizures being a poor prognostic factor. The pathological processes underlying post-stroke seizures are not well understood and studies of these seizures in aging/aged animals remain scarce. Therefore, our primary objective was to model post-stroke seizures in aging mice (C57 black strain, 16-20 months-old), with a focus on early-onset, convulsive seizures that occur within 24-hours of brain ischemia. We utilized a middle cerebral artery occlusion model and examined seizure activity and brain injury using combined behavioral and electroencephalographic monitoring and histological assessments. Aging mice exhibited vigorous convulsive seizures within hours of the middle cerebral artery occlusion. These seizures manifested with jumping, rapid running, barrel-rolling and/or falling all in the absence of hippocampal-cortical electrographic discharges. Seizure development was closely associated with severe brain injury and acute mortality. Anticonvulsive treatments after seizure occurrence offered temporary seizure control but failed to improve animal survival. A separate cohort of adult mice (6-8 months-old) exhibited analogous early-onset convulsive seizures following the middle cerebral artery occlusion but had better survival outcomes following anticonvulsive treatment. Collectively, our data suggest that early-onset convulsive seizures are a result of severe brain ischemia in aging animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiping Wu
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada
| | - Justin Wang
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada
| | - Jessie Peng
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada
| | - Nisarg Patel
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada
| | - Yayi Huang
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada
| | - Xiaoxing Gao
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada
| | - Salman Aljarallah
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada; Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - James H Eubanks
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada; Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Liang Zhang
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Canada; Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Canada.
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Hippocampal excitability is increased in aged mice. Exp Neurol 2013; 247:710-9. [PMID: 23510762 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aging is known to be associated with a high risk of developing seizure disorders. Currently, the mechanisms underlying this increased seizure susceptibility are not fully understood. Several previous studies have shown a loss of subgroups of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons in the hippocampus of aged rodents, yet the network excitability intrinsic to the aged hippocampus remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to examine age-dependent changes of hippocampal network activities in young adult (3-5 months), aging (16-18 months), and aged (24-28 months) mice. We conducted intracranial electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings in free-moving animals and extracellular recordings in hippocampal slices in vitro. EEG recordings revealed frequent spikes in aging and aged mice but only occasionally in young adults. These EEG spikes were suppressed following diazepam administration. Spontaneous field potentials with large amplitudes were frequently observed in hippocampal slices of aged mice but rarely in slices from young adults. These spontaneous field potentials originated from the CA3 area and their generation was dependent upon the excitatory glutamatergic activity. We therefore postulate that hippocampal network excitability is increased in aged mice and that such hyperactivity may be relevant to the increased seizure susceptibility observed in aged subjects.
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