No loss in total neuron number in the thalamic reticular nucleus and neocortex in the genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg

The thalamic reticular nucleus (nRt) as well as the neocortex are involved in the bilateral spike- and wave-discharge loop in genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS). Neuron loss in different brain areas has been described in relation to epilepsy with convulsive seizures. We have previously investigated the ventrolateral/posterior nucleus of thalamus in GAERS and found no neuron loss. We applied the same efficient and unbiased stereological methods to nRt and to neocortex and again found no loss of neurons. The oscillatory properties of nRt are not related to neuron loss.