Chemical synaptic transmission is not necessary for epileptic seizures to persist in the baboon Papio papio.

The spread and persistence of epileptic seizures have generally been attributed to chemical synaptic interactions. Using ion-sensitive microelectrodes, we showed that in the allylglycine-treated photosensitive baboon, prolonged light-induced generalized seizures were accompanied by abnormally large decreases in the concentration of extracellular calcium ions, reaching values at which chemical synaptic transmission was certainly very reduced or blocked. This feature was observed in all cortical layers. Measurements of the concentration of extracellular potassium ions in the course of such light-induced seizures indicated that the observed low values of the concentration of calcium ions could not be ascribed to the occurrence of spreading depressions. These findings showed that nonsynaptic mechanisms play a prominent role in the persistence of epileptic seizures.