Self-propagating, non-synaptic epileptiform activity propagates by endogenous electric fields.

Self-propagating, non-synaptic epileptiform activity propagates by endogenous electric fields. Exp Neurol. 2019 Feb 15;: Authors: Shivacharan RS, Chiang CC, Zhang M, Gonzalez-Reyes LE, Durand DM Abstract It is well documented that synapses play a significant role in the transmission of information between neurons. However, in the absence of synaptic transmission, neural activity has been observed to continue to propagate. Previous studies have shown that propagation of epileptiform activity takes place in the absence of synaptic transmission and gap junctions and is outside the range of ionic diffusion and axonal conduction. Computer simulations indicate that electric field coupling could be responsible for the propagation of neural activity under pathological conditions such as epilepsy. Electric fields can modulate neuronal membrane voltage, but there is no experimental evidence suggesting that electric field coupling can mediate self-regenerating propagation of neural activity. Here we examine the role of electric field coupling by eliminating all forms of neural communications except electric field coupling with a cut through the neural tissue. We show that 4-AP induced activity generates an electric field capable of activating neurons on the distal side of the cut. Experiments also show that applied electric fields with amplitudes similar to endogenous values can induce propagating waves. Finally, we show that canceling the elec...
Source: Experimental Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Exp Neurol Source Type: research