Development of the thalamocortical augmenting response in the kitten.

Study of the developing central nervous system can lead to better understanding of the mature central nervous system. The thalamocortical augmenting response is a complex neurophysiological response considered to be related to the occurrence of some forms of epileptic activity. Using a paradigm previously developed in adult cats, we assessed the development of the thalamocortical augmenting response in kittens and found that the relative proportion of thalamocortical activity occurring at high frequencies of thalamic stimulation increased with increasing age. Anticonvulsants effective against petit mal seizures also increase the relative proportion of thalamocortical activity following high frequencies of thalamic stimulation. Developmental changes in the thalamocortical augmenting response can be related to the age-dependent decreases in the prevalence of petit mal seizures.