Intraoperative human vagus nerve compound action potentials.

Objective: Although electrical stimulation of vagus nerve is used widely for treatment of epilepsy the electrophysiological properties of human vagus nerve are not well characterized. Our objective was to measure compound action potentials of human vagus nerve fiber groups intraoperatively by stimulation using a commercially available generator and electrode system (Neurocybernetic Prosthesis System, NCP).

Material And Methods: During NCP implantation we recorded compound action potentials evoked by stimulating the left vagus nerve through the NCP bipolar lead.

Delayed effects of pyridostigmine and exercise training on acetylcholinesterase and muscle tension in mouse lower extremity.

In this study, the interactive effects of pyridostigmine, a pretreatment drug against nerve agents, and exercise training on muscle tension were investigated in the mouse lower extremity anterior muscular compartment by dorsiflexion of the foot with stimulation of the peroneal nerve. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lipid peroxidation (in terms of the end-product malondialdehyde, MDA) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity in the muscle were correlated with muscle tension. Male NIH Swiss mice were divided into four groups and treated as follows: (1) sedentary control; (2) pyridostigmine (1.

Evidence of increased excitability in GEPR hippocampus preceding development of seizure susceptibility.

The genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR) provides a valuable model to study the mechanism of neonatal seizure susceptibility because seizure predisposition in GEPRs is determined by factors present from birth. We have previously shown that reduced afterhyperpolarization (AHP), reduced spike frequency adaptation and increased excitation with repetitive stimulation are present in the adult GEPRs. To investigate whether these abnormalities are present at birth or appear at the time when GEPRs show seizure susceptibility and to elucidate whether these abnormalities were a consequence of seizure experience (the adult rats previously tested were induced to seize in three tests), we studied the membrane and synaptic properties of CA3 hippocampal neurons in preseizing offspring of GEPR-9s (seizure naive GEPRs).

Evidence for decreased calcium dependent potassium conductance in hippocampal CA3 neurons of genetically epilepsy-prone rats.

The genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR) has become an important model to study genetic predisposition to epilepsy involving not only the brainstem but also forebrain structures. Previous work in CA1 hippocampal cells showed a reduction in spike frequency adaptation and only subtle changes in slow afterhyperpolarization (AHP). As important differences exist in calcium dependent potentials in the CA1 and CA3 hippocampal cells, we compared the membrane properties of hippocampal CA3 cells in GEPRs and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Hippocampal CA1 neuronal properties in genetically epilepsy-prone rats: evidence for increased excitation.

The genetically epilepsy prone rats (GEPRs) are abnormally susceptible to seizures with a variety of treatments and can be used as a model to study generalized seizure predisposition involving the brainstem and forebrain structures. We investigated the basic membrane and synaptic properties of hippocampal CA1 cells in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and GEPRs. Several differences in cellular properties were observed in the GEPRs.