Microscale dynamics of electrophysiological markers of epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: Interictal discharges (IIDs) and high frequency oscillations (HFOs) are established neurophysiologic biomarkers of epilepsy, while microseizures are less well studied. We used custom poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) microelectrodes to better understand these markers' microscale spatial dynamics.

Methods: Electrodes with spatial resolution down to 50 µm were used to record intraoperatively in 30 subjects. IIDs' degree of spread and spatiotemporal paths were generated by peak-tracking followed by clustering. Repeating HFO patterns were delineated by clustering similar time windows. Multi-unit activity (MUA) was analyzed in relation to IID and HFO timing.

Results: We detected IIDs encompassing the entire array in 93% of subjects, while localized IIDs, observed across < 50% of channels, were seen in 53%. IIDs traveled along specific paths. HFOs appeared in small, repeated spatiotemporal patterns. Finally, we identified microseizure events that spanned 50-100 µm. HFOs covaried with MUA, but not with IIDs.

Conclusions: Overall, these data suggest that irritable cortex micro-domains may form part of an underlying pathologic architecture which could contribute to the seizure network.

Significance: These results, supporting the possibility that epileptogenic cortex comprises a mosaic of irritable domains, suggests that microscale approaches might be an important perspective in devising novel seizure control therapies.

Keywords: High Frequency Oscillations; Interictal Discharges; Microelectrode.