Clonazepam suppresses oscillations in rat thalamic slices

Hypersynchrony of spindle-like thalamic oscillations may contribute to thalamic dysrhythmias including generalized absence epilepsy. Here we show that, as predicted by previous modeling studies, enhancement of inhibition between thalamic reticular (RE) cells by clonazepam suppresses evoked oscillations in rat thalamic slices. We also observed spontaneous oscillations, which have a variable and limited spatial extent. Clonazepam reduces the frequency of occurrence and the spatial extent of these spontaneous oscillations. These results suggest ways in which the enhancement of intra-RE inhibition by clonazepam can prevent hypersynchronous oscillatory activity in the thalamus, and produce therapeutic e!ects. 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.