Increased inhibitory synaptic activity in the hippocampus (CA1) of genetic absence epilepsy rats: Relevance of kindling resistance

Abstract

Purpose: Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), a well-validated genetic rat model for typical absence epilepsy, are known to manifest a resistance to secondary generalization of abnormal focal electrical activity evoked by kindling. The mechanism of this resistance is still unclear. In order to understand the possible mechanism of kindling resistance, we investigated for the first time, the differences of short-term synaptic plasticity by using a paired-pulse paradigm as an indicator of GABAergic activity in CM region of hippocampus in GAERS and non-epileptic Wistar rats in-vivo.