Paul A. Rutecki

 

 

Synaptic Physiology of Epileptiform Activity

E-mail: rutecki@neurology.wisc.edu

Research Strengths: Membrane Excitability and Synaptic Transmission, Neurobiology of Disease

The main goal of my laboratory is to understand the synaptic physiology of the hippocampus and how that circuitry favors epileptiform activity. We use the hippocampal slice preparation and intra- and extracellular recording techniques to study synaptic potentials and currents in CA3 pyramidal neurons. The hippocampal slice preparation is capable of generating epileptiform activity when convulsants are applied acutely or following lesions that alter the intrinsic synaptic circuitry.

The lab is now investigating the effects of activation of the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) on epileptiform activity and the development of a long lasting change in physiology that promotes abnormal synchronization. Group I agonists not only produce recurrent, synchronous neuronal oscillations, but following a 2 hour exposure induce a state of long-lasting changes in synaptic circuitry that favors synchronization. We believe that this phenomenon may contribute to the epileptogenesis, the development of epilepsy.

Selected Publications:

• Hermann, B.P., M. Seidenberg, C. Dow, P. Rutecki, and A. Bhattacharya. 2006. Cognitive prognosis in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. Ann. Neurology 60: 80-87 [PDF]
• Seidenberg, M., K.E. Kelly, J. Parrish, E. Geary, C. Dow, P. Rutecki, and B. Hermann. 2005. Ipsilateral and contralateral MRI volumetric abnormalities in chronic unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy and their clinical correlates. Epilepsia 46: 420-430 [PDF]
• Hermann, B., M. Seidenberg, L. Sears, R. Hansen, K. Bayless, P. Rutecki, and C. Dow. 2004. Cerebellar atrophy in temporal lobe epilepsy affects procedural memory. Neurology 63: 2129-2131 [PDF]
• Sayin, Ü. and P.A. Rutecki. 2003. Metabotropic glutamate receptor activation alters hippocampal network excitability and produces prolonged epileptiform neuronal synchronization. Epilepsy Res. 53: 186-195. [PDF]
• Hermann, B., M. Seidenberg, B. Bell, P. Rutecki, R.D. Sheth, G. Wendt, D. O'Leary, and V. Magnotta. 2003. Extratemporal quantitiative MRI volumetrics and neuropsychological status in temporal lobe epilepsy. J. Int., Neuropsych. Soc. 9: 353-362
• Sayin, Ü., S. Osting, J. Hagen, P.A. Rutecki, and T. Sutula. 2003. Spontaneous seizures and loss of axo-axonic and axo-aomatic inhibition induced by repeated brief seizures in kindled rats. J. Neurosci. 23: 2759-2768. [PDF]
• Hadar, E.J., Y. Yang, Ü. Sayin, and P.A. Rutecki. 2002. Suppression of pilocarpine-induced ictal oscillations in the hippocampal slice. Epilepsy Res. 49: 61-71. [PDF]
• Sayin, Ü., P.A. Rutecki, and T.P. Sutula. 1999. Slowly evolving alterations in NMDA synaptic currents in dentate gyrus contribute to the induction, but not the permanence of kindling. J. Neurophysiol. 81: 564-574. [PDF]
• Rutecki, P.A. and Y. Yang. 1998. Ictal epileptiform activity in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices produced by pilocarpine. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 3019-3029. [PDF]
• Sayin, Ü. and P.A. Rutecki. 1997. Effects of pilocarpine on paired pulse inhibition in the CA3 region of the rat hippocampus. Brain Res. 758: 136-142. [PDF]
• Rutecki, P.A. and Y. Yang. 1997. Metabotropic glutamate receptor activation modulates epileptiform activity in the hippocampus. Neuroscience 81: 927-935. [PDF]