Conclusions
In conclusion, both acutely induced and chronic epilepsies are associated with an enhanced Ca uptake capability into nerve cells. This finding may in future help to identify areas in the brain with chronic epileptogenic potential and thereby facilitate the study of mechanisms involved in the generation of chronic epilepsies. The enhanced Ca uptake observed in many experimental and aquired epilepsies itself may depend on Ca fluxes through voltage or NMDA operated channels. Intrinsic currents may be involved in amplifying EPSP's into PDS by relieving the block which Mg exerts normally on NMDA operated ionophores. The many consequences of decreases in [Ca]o as those of the regularly associated rises in [K]o provide positive feedback which supports the initiation and spread as well as the maintenance of ictal activity. The resulting intracellular load with Ca may be one factor involved in the degeneration of nerve cells as a result of epileptic activity.
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Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft with grants He 1128/2-3 and 3-2 and by the SFB 220 B3
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Heinemann, U., Hamon, B. Calcium and epileptogenesis. Exp Brain Res 65, 1–10 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00243826
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00243826