Early hippocampal hyperexcitability followed by disinhibition in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome

Abstract Dravet syndrome (Dravet) epilepsy begins with febrile seizures followed by worsening to refractory seizures, with some improvement and stabilization toward adolescence. The neuronal basis of Dravet is debatable, with evidence favoring reduced inhibition or enhanced excitation. Focusing on the firing properties of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons and oriens-lacunosum moleculare (O-LM) interneurons, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the activity of both cell types through the febrile, worsening and stabilization stages. Our data indicate a temporary increase in the excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons during the febrile stage, which is fully reversed by the onset of spontaneous seizures. In contrast, reduced function of O-LM interneurons persisted from the febrile through the stabilization stages, with the greatest impairment of excitability occurring during the worsening stage. Thus, both excitatory and inhibitory neurons contribute to Dravet, indicating complex and reciprocal pathophysiological neuronal changes during the different stages of the disease.