Low Frequency Electrical Stimulation Attenuated The Epileptiform Activity-Induced Changes in Action Potential Features in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons

Electrical low frequency stimulation (LFS) is a new therapeutic method that moderates hyperexcitability during epileptic states. Seizure occurrence is accompanied by some changes in action potential (AP) features. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory action of LFS on epileptiform activity (EA) induced-changes in AP features in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.
In this experimental study, we induced EA in hippocampal slices by increasing the extracellular potassium (K) concentration to 12 mM. LFS (1 Hz) was applied to the Schaffer collaterals at different pulse numbers (600 and 900) at the beginning of the EA. Changes in AP features recorded by whole-cell patch clamp recording were compared using phase plot analysis.
Induction of EA depolarized membrane potential, decreased peak amplitude, as well as the maximum rise and decay slopes of APs. Administration of 1 Hz LFS at the beginning of EA prevented the above mentioned changes in AP features. This suppressive effect of LFS depended on the LFS pulse number, such that application of 900 pulses of LFS had a stronger recovery effect on AP features that changed during EA compared to 600 pulses of LFS. The constructed phase plots of APs revealed that LFS at 900 pulses significantly decreased the changes in resting membrane potential (RMP), peak amplitude, and maximum rise and decay slopes that appeared during EA.
Increasing the numbers of LFS pulses can magnify its inhibitory effects on EA-induced changes in AP features.