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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.09.30.615990

Reduced Synaptic Heterogeneity in a Tetanus ToxinModel of Epilepsy: Insights from ComputationalModeling

Zarei Eskikabd, P.·Cook, M. J.·Burkitt, A. N.·Grayden, D. B.
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Abstract

A neural mass model was used to assess connectivity strength across diverse populations by fitting the model to background EEG data obtained from a Tetanus Toxin rat model of epilepsy. Our findings reveal a notable decline in the variability of estimated parameters when using EEG data recorded from rats in the Tetanus Toxin group compared with the control group. A detailed comparison of standard deviations in estimated parameters between day 1 and day 20 recordings, coinciding with a heightened number of seizures, underscores the impact of Tetanus Toxin on diminishing synaptic strength variability across recordings. This study supports electrophysiological studies suggesting that epileptogenesis induces a reduction in biophysical heterogeneity, potentially leading to an increase in network synchrony associated with epilepsy. Furthermore, our computational model establishes a foundation for future explorations of the implications of this diminished variability.

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Zarei Eskikabd, P., Cook, M. J., Burkitt, A. N., Grayden, D. B.. 2024-10-02. Reduced Synaptic Heterogeneity in a Tetanus ToxinModel of Epilepsy: Insights from ComputationalModeling. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.30.615990

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