PROPAGATION OF FOCAL CORTICAL EPILEPTIFORM DISCHARGE TO THE BASAL GANGLIA

Single-unit activity was recorded in the caudate and entopeduncular nuclei of cats during penicillin-induced epileptiform discharge from the pericruciate cortex. More than 80% of responsive caudate neurons fired a burst of action potentials after the cortical interictal spikes. An even higher percentage (95%) burst during the clonic phase of electrocorticographic seizures. In the entopeduncular nucleus, approximately 45% of the cells increased their firing rate or burst with the interictal spike and 33% decreased their firing rate after the interictal spike. These results are consistent with the notion that the basal ganglia may act as an important pathway for the spread and generalization of focal epileptic discharge. © 1979.