Peculiarities of the Effects of Stimulation of Emotiogenic Central Structures under Conditions of a Kindling Model of Epilepsy

In our study, we tried, first, to elucidate whether induction of emotional behavior resulting from stimulation of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) influences the development of seizure activity in the course of epileptogenesis within the framework of fast kindling (stimulation of the hippocampus) and, second, to estimate if such stimulation is capable of modulating manifestations of generalized seizures under conditions of the pre-formed “full” epileptic syndrome. Stimulation of the DMH in the above two experimental situations resulted in significant suppression of both electrographic and behavioral manifestations of seizure activity. We hypothesize that the respective emotional reactions can be interpreted as phenomena of instinctive behavior having an adaptive defensive significance. These reactions are related to inhibitory processes providing protection from the development of seizure activity.