Dervinis M, Crunelli V. Spike-and-wave discharges of absence seizures in a sleep waves-constrained corticothalamic model.
CNS Neurosci Ther 2024;
30:e14204. [PMID:
37032628 PMCID:
PMC10915988 DOI:
10.1111/cns.14204]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS
Recurrent network activity in corticothalamic circuits generates physiological and pathological EEG waves. Many computer models have simulated spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs), the EEG hallmark of absence seizures (ASs). However, these models either provided detailed simulated activity only in a selected territory (i.e., cortical or thalamic) or did not test whether their corticothalamic networks could reproduce the physiological activities that are generated by these circuits.
METHODS
Using a biophysical large-scale corticothalamic model that reproduces the full extent of EEG sleep waves, including sleep spindles, delta, and slow (<1 Hz) waves, here we investigated how single abnormalities in voltage- or transmitter-gated channels in the neocortex or thalamus led to SWDs.
RESULTS
We found that a selective increase in the tonic γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA-A) inhibition of first-order thalamocortical (TC) neurons or a selective decrease in cortical phasic GABA-A inhibition is sufficient to generate ~4 Hz SWDs (as in humans) that invariably start in neocortical territories. Decreasing the leak conductance of higher-order TC neurons leads to ~7 Hz SWDs (as in rodent models) while maintaining sleep spindles at 7-14 Hz.
CONCLUSION
By challenging key features of current mechanistic views, this simulated ictal corticothalamic activity provides novel understanding of ASs and makes key testable predictions.
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