Electrographic seizures possibly contribute to the epileptogenesis of acquired epilepsy

Abstract

Acquired epilepsy is a widespread neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures that typically appear after an initial brain injury (IBI) and a subsequent latent period (LP). The processes underlying epileptogenesis remain debated. There are limitations in the traditional view that solely attributes epileptogenesis to the IBI, as the effects of this injury do not persist through the LP. Recent studies indicate that electrographic seizures (ESs), which occur without visible clinical symptoms, are common among individuals with epilepsy. This finding prompts a reassessment of the relationship between ESs and epileptogenesis. We propose that ESs act as a persistent form of electrical injury that operates throughout the LP, potentially contributing to the development of an epileptic network. Testing of the hypothesis will be conducted using longitudinal intracranial EEG monitoring in a primate model, with computational neuroscience techniques employed to decode EEG pattern and provide insights into this dynamic system.