Epilepsy: Models, Mechanisms and Concepts

Advances in epilepsy research are occurring at a rapid rate, resulting in a bewildering wealth of data. The implications of this knowledge for future research and clinical practice can be confusing. This volume concentrates on the concepts and models of epilepsy which have been developed as a result of this research. Written by prominent researchers in the field, this book presents a number of major concepts and hypotheses through which epilepsy research has been advanced. Chapters focus on the pathways and mechanisms through which seizure activity is initiated and spread, in both normal and abnormal brain tissues, and discuss the special properties of epileptogenesis in the immature brain. In a field in which rapid advances lead to constant update of empirical data, this book takes a conceptual approach to the subject and provides a solid framework within which to understand the emerging issues. It will be relevant to basic neuroscientists, neurologists and neurosurgeons.

Table of Contents:
List of contributors; General introduction Philip A. Schwartzkroin; Part I. Chronic Models in Intact Animals - Concepts and Questions: Introduction; 1. The kindling model of epilepsy James O. McNamara, Douglas W. Bonhaus and Cheolsu Shin; 2. Focal trigger zones and pathways of propagation in seizure generation Karen Gale; 3. Genetic models of the epilepsies Phillip C. Jobe, Pravin K. Mishra, Nandor Ludvig and John W. Dailey; 4. Noradrenergic modulation of excitability: transplantation approaches to epilepsy research Olle Lindvall; 5. Sensitivity of the immature central nervous system to epileptogenic stimuli Solomon L. Moshé, Patric K. Stanton and Ellen F. Sperber; Part II. Features of the Epileptogenic Brain: Introduction; 6. Neurophysiological studies of alterations in seizure susceptibility during brain development John. W. Swann, Karen L. Smith, Robert J. Brady and Martha G. Pierson; 7. Electrophysiology and pharmacology of human neocortex and hippocampus in vitro Massimo Avoli; 8. Cell death, plasticity and epilepsy: insights provided by experimental models of hippocampal sclerosis JoAnn E. Franck; 9. Sprouting as an underlying cause of hyperexcitability in experimental models and in the human epileptic temporal lobe Thomas P. Sutula; 10. Rapidly recurring seizures and status epilepticus: ictal density as a factor in epileptogenesis Eric W. Lothman, Janet L. Stringer and Edward H. Bertram; Part III. 'Normal' Brain Mechanisms That Support Epileptiform Activities: Introduction; 11. Brain slice models for the study of seizures and interictal spikes Wilkie A. Wilson and Andrew Bragdon; 12. Generation of epileptiform discharge by local circuits of neocortex Barry W. Connors and Yael Amitai; 13. Study of GABAergic inhibition and GABAA receptors in experimental epilepsy Robert K. S. Wong and Richard Miles; 14. High potassium-induced synchronous bursts and electrographic seizures Christopher J. McBain, Stephen F. Traynelis and Raymond Dingledine; 15. Anti-epileptic effects of organic calcium channel blockers in animal experiments Erwin-Josef Speckmann and Jörg Walden; Recent advances; Index.