Seidel, William Thomas2024-08-152024-08-1519841984https://hdl.handle.net/1828/19631Seizures induced by electrical stimulation (kindling) of the amygdala and the anterior neocortex have traditionally been viewed as or involving separate processes. However, when generalized the seizures from both sites appear very similar to each other. This study was, therefore, designed to determine whether the kindling of generalized seizures in a primary site (amygdala or anterior neocortex) affected the subsequent development of generalized seizures in the secondary site (anterior neocortex or amygdala respectively). The initial kindling of generalized seizures in the amygdala facilitated the generalization of subsequent seizures kindled in the anterior neocortex. Similarly, primary kindling of generalized seizures in the anterior neocortex expedited the development of generalized seizures induced in the amygdala. Partial kindling in the anterior neocortex had no effect on subsequent amygdaloid kindling. Another noteworthy result concerns the stability of the epileptiform after discharges (ADs) that result, from the stimulations. Specifically, stimulations of the amygdala produced ADs 100% of the time whereas anterior neocortical stimulations did not always elicit ADs. Observations concerning postictal irritability and the propagation of AD to unstimulated sites are also discussed. The present findings suggest the existence of a single seizure-generalization mechanism, most likely of midbrain or brainstem origin. Furthermore, they reveal the instability of ADs induced by stimulation of the anterior neocortex, which has not been discussed previously in the literature.59 pagesAvailable to the World Wide WebThesis