Inhibition of T-Type calcium channels in mEC layer II stellate neurons reduces neuronal hyperexcitability associated with epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a form of adult epilepsy involving the entorhinal cortex (EC). Layer II neurons of the medial EC (mEC) are spared and become hyperexcitable in TLE. Studies have suggested a role for T-type calcium channels (T-type Ca channels) in facilitating increases in neuronal activity associated with TLE within the hippocampus. We sought to determine if T-type Ca channels play a role in facilitating neuronal hyperexcitability of layer II mEC stellate neurons in TLE. TLE was induced in rats by electrical stimulation of the hippocampus to induce status epilepticus (SE). Brain slices were prepared from rats exhibiting spontaneous seizures and compared with age-matched control rats. Action potentials (APs) were evoked either by current injection steps or via presynaptic stimulation of mEC deep layers. The selective T-type Ca channel antagonist, TTA-P2 (1 μM), was applied to determine the role of T-type Ca channels in maintaining neuronal excitability. Quantitative PCR techniques were used to assess T-type Ca channel isoform mRNA levels within the mEC layer II. TLE mEC layer II stellate neurons were hyperexcitable compared to control neurons, evoking a higher frequency of APs and generating bursts of APs when synaptically stimulated. TTA-P2 (1 μM) reduced firing frequencies in TLE and control neurons and reduced AP burst firing in TLE stellate neurons. TTA-P2 had little effect on synaptically evoked AP's in control neurons. TTA-P2 also inhibited rebound APs evoked in TLE neurons to a greater degree than in control neurons. TLE tissue had almost a 3-fold increase in Ca3.1 mRNA compared to controls. Ca3.2 or Ca3.3 levels were unchanged. These findings support a role for T-type Ca channel in establishing neuronal hyperexcitability of mEC layer II stellate neurons in TLE. Increased expression of Ca3.1 may be important for establishing neuronal hyperexcitability of mEC layer II neurons in TLE.