A1 Epilepsy (hyperexcitability, synchronous discharges)

Title

Epilepsy is characterized by an excitation-inhibition imbalance that favors the hyperexcitability of cortical networks, generating synchronized paroxysmal discharges. On the Wilson-Cowan model of E08, a fractional loss of inhibition is introduced, which moves the system towards a regime of sustained or unstable activity; The stability analysis (Jacobian eigenvalues, already defined in E08) allows predicting the transition to the ictal state. At the cellular level, the reduction of K+ conductance or the appearance of persistent Na+ currents (extension of E02 conductance) reduce the firing threshold and facilitate repetitive firing. The pathological synchronization of the network can be described with the Kuramoto order parameter defined in E09, whose crossing of a critical threshold marks the clinical onset of the crisis; The propagation of the discharge through the cortical tissue is modeled as a reaction-diffusion type front, analogous to that used for neuronal migration at E14. After the crisis, excitability recovers exponentially during the post-ictal period.

ID:4283