Seizure-like thalamocortical rhythms initiate in the deep layers of the cortex in a co-culture model

► Measuring network activity in a contained thalamocortical network supports a cortical focus for initiation of such activity ► In vivo preparations lack the ability to sample the whole network simultaneously-a disadvantage the current study overcomes ► Increased cortical excitability is seen in a genetic model of absence epilepsy-supporting this type of excitability as a driver of aberrant seizure activity ► In summary, this paper supports the cortical focus hypothesis of seizure generation in absence seizures.