The role of infraslow activity in seizures and epilepsy

Abstract

Of recent interest in neuroscience are infraslow oscillations (ISOs), which are typically defined as activity in the brain slower than 0.2 Hz. Recent evidence suggests that these oscillations are both distinct and functional. They appear to exhibit unique spatiotemporal dynamics, indicating an independent mechanism of generation, and seem to broadly and dynamically modulate higher frequency activity in the brain. It has also been suggested that ISOs may play a significant role in seizures and epilepsy, and better insight into their generation and functional role will likely shed light on mechanisms of ictogenesis and epileptogenesis, and aid in the accurate localization of seizure-generating circuitry. Here, we attempt to better understand the role of infraslow activity in normal physiology and in seizures and epilepsy.