Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2009):

Epileptiform EEG spikes and their functional significance.

Full Abstract

Field potentials detected in the space surrounding cellular elements of the nervous system are essential in the diagnosis of epileptic seizures. This article describes the elementary mechanisms underlying the generation of field potentials and the special functional conditions leading to epileptiform field potentials. Primary transmembranous currents generate secondary ional currents along the cell membranes in intra- and extracellular compartments. The portion of these currents that flows through the brain tissue to the cortical surface can be detected as field potentials. A high synchronization of these field potentials is needed to induce brain signals. Field potentials recorded during epileptic activity are based on alterations in neuronal membrane potentials. Paroxysmal depolarization shift has proved to be characteristic in the epileptiform activity of individual neurons. Epileptiform field potentials are generated in functionally different structures with different elementary mechanisms. In focal convulsive activity limited to the cortex, the surface potential does not necessarily reflect the bioelectrical events in deeper cortical laminae and can be interrupted in different ways. The discrepancy between superficial EEG potentials and neocortical output may be the basis for dissociation between EEG signals and clinical signs.

Author information

Author/s: Gorji, Ali (A); Speckmann, Erwin-Josef (EJ);

Affiliation: Institute for Physiology, Münster University, Münster, Germany. gorjial(-atsign-)uni-muenster.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Clinical EEG and neuroscience : official journal of the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society (ENCS) (Clin EEG Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 40 (issue 4) : pp 230-3

Dates: Created 2009/09/28; Completed 2009/10/23;

PMID: 19780343, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/23/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Action Potentials Animals Brain - physiopathology Electroencephalography - methods Epilepsy - physiopathology

Epilepsy - physiopathology Humans Magnetoencephalography - methods Models, Neurological Nerve Net - physiopathology

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• Dynamical diseases of brain systems: different routes to epileptic seizures. 29 Apr 2003
• Estimating phase synchronization in dynamical systems using cellular nonlinear networks. 27 Jun 2005
• Distinguishing between moving and stationary sources using EEG/MEG measurements with an application to epilepsy. 27 Feb 2005
• Controlling limit-cycle behaviors of brain activity. 17 May 2008
• Differences in MEG/EEG epileptic spike yields explained by regional differences in signal-to-noise ratios. 30 Mar 2005
• [Interactions between the epileptic network and brain function: an approach by nonlinear analysis of intracranial EEG] 29 Jun 1999
• Temporally constrained ICA: an application to artifact rejection in electromagnetic brain signal analysis. 30 Aug 2003
• Phase clustering of high frequency EEG: MEG components. 29 Sep 2005
• Diffusive coupling and network periodicity: a computational study. 23 Apr 2008
• Computational models of epileptic activity: a bridge between observation and pathophysiological interpretation. 30 May 2008

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.