Synaptic responses of neurons in heterotopic gray matter in an animal model of cortical dysgenesis

Bret N. Smith, F. Edward Dudek, Steven N. Roper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neuronal heterotopia is a malformation of cortical development that is closely associated with epilepsy in humans. Despite emerging interest in the structure and function of the heterotopic cortex, little is known about the membrane properties and synaptic connections of these displaced neurons. We used whole-cell patch-clamp and extracellular field potential recordings from heterotopic neurons in slices from young adult rats with experimentally induced cortical dysgenesis to determine if local synaptic connections were present in nodular heterotopia. Complex synaptic responses were observed after electrical stimulation of adjacent white matter. The results suggest that neurons in nodular heterotopic gray matter can form local excitatory and inhibitory synaptic connections and may participate in epileptiform events.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)365-373
Number of pages9
JournalDevelopmental Neuroscience
Volume21
Issue number3-5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

Keywords

  • Epilepsy
  • Neocortex
  • Network
  • Seizure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

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