Propagation Effect of Epileptic Seizures in a Coupled Thalamocortical Network

Epileptic seizures have spatial features related to the propagation of seizure waves. As the main characteristic of absence seizures, 2-4 Hz spike-wave discharges (SWDs) originate from the cortices and are maintained by the thalamus. In this study, we explore the onset and propagation effect of absence seizures based on a thalamocortical model. First, we develop a two-compartment model and consider the autapse of the thalamic reticular nucleus as a crucial parameter to investigate transition behaviors. Moreover, we present dynamical mechanisms through bifurcation analysis. Simulation results show that the absence seizures can be induced and advanced as the coupling strength increases. Second, we investigate excitatory and inhibitory coupling functions in a three-compartment model. Our research indicates that the excitatory coupling function can lead to SWDs when all the compartments are initially saturated. In the process of propagation, excitatory coupling also gives rise to SWDs in normal compartments, whereas inhibitory coupling plays a limited role. Finally, we reproduce the above results in a 10-compartment model and verify the robustness against the variation of the number of modules. This work may shed new light on the field of seizure propagation and provide potential dynamical mechanisms.