Restoring failed inhibition in the substantia nigra pars reticulata suppresses absence seizures in rats

Objective

For over four decades, the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) has been recognized as a critical structure in the modulation of seizure activity. Pharmacological and optogenetic inhibition of the SNr produce robust seizure suppression in a range of seizure models. These findings have given rise to a longstanding, yet unresolved question: do seizures involve a failure of inhibition within the SNr?

Methods

We recorded single-unit activity in the SNr during spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) in male and female WAG/Rij rats, a model of genetic absence epilepsy. We monitored extracellular GABA levels using intensity-based GABA sensing fluorescence reporter (iGABASnFR). To emphasize the multi-modal efficacy of SNr inhibition on seizure suppression, we optogenetically inhibited the SNr.

Results

50% of recorded neurons exhibited a marked increase in firing at SWD onset, with activity returning to baseline at SWD termination. Extracellular GABA levels revealed a decrease in fluorescence during SWDs, consistent with reduced GABAergic transmission. Optogenetic inhibition of SNr neurons using continuous (open-loop) inhibition, but not closed-loop (responsive) inhibition, significantly reduced SWD incidence.

Significance

These data suggest that a loss of GABAergic input to the SNr is associated with increased neuronal activity. Optogenetically restoring inhibition effectively reduced seizure burden. Together, these findings address a long-standing gap in the literature and provide compelling evidence that impaired inhibition within the SNr contributes to seizure expression.