Optogenetic Low-Frequency Stimulation of Specific Neuronal Populations Abates Ictogenesis

This study was done to investigate whether LFS with optogenetic stimulation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-positive (CaMKII-positive) principal cells, and parvalbumin or somatostatin-positive interneurons was able to reduce epileptiform activity caused by 4-AP in the entorhinal cortex (EC). Targeting all three cell types led to a reduction in ictal activity, but the effect was greater when CaMKII-positive principal cells were targeted. These results are promising because they suggest that seizures can be targeted temporally (through LFS) and selectively (through optogenetics); the results of this study may have potential favorable implications for refractory epilepsy. More …

Summary for non-specialists