Action potentials contribute to epileptic high-frequency oscillations recorded with electrodes remote from neurons

•Action potentials generating high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) are thought to be recordable only in the immediate vicinity of neurons.•We showed that HFOs recorded with electrodes remote from neurons may be generated by clusters of action potentials.•The phenomenon of action potentials that are recorded with electrodes far from neurons can possibly extend the clinical meaning of EEG.

ObjectiveThe importance of epileptic high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) in electroencephalogram (EEG) is growing. Action potentials generating some HFOs are observed in the vicinity of neurons in experimental animals. However electrodes that are remote from neurons, as in case of clinical situations, should not record action potentials. We propose to resolve this question by a realistic simulation of epileptic neuronal network.MethodsThe rat dentate gyrus with sclerosis was simulated in silico. We computed the current dipole moment generated by each granule cell and the field potentials in a measurement area far from neurons.ResultsThe dentate gyrus was stimulated through synaptic input to evoke discharges resembling interictal epileptiform discharges, which had superimposed HFOs ⩽ 295 Hz that were recordable with remote electrodes and represented bursts of action potentials of granule cells. The increase in power of HFOs was associated with the progression of sclerosis, the reduction of GABAergic inhibition, and the increase in cell connectivity. Spectral frequency of HFOs had similar tendencies.ConclusionsHFOs recorded with electrodes remote from neurons could actually be generated by clusters of action potentials.SignificanceThe phenomenon of action potentials recorded with remote electrodes can possibly extend the clinical meaning of EEG.