Biology subjects

Kralikova, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Kralikova, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

High-frequency oscillations reveal progressive recruitment of remote cortex into the epileptic network in a mouse model of focal cortical dysplasia type II

Interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and pathological high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) are established biomarkers of epileptogenic tissue, but how their spatiotemporal evolution reflects epileptic network reorganization in neocortical epilepsy remains unclear. We investigated longitudinal IED and HFO dynamics throughout epileptogenesis and chronic epilepsy in a mouse model of focal cortical dysplasia type II (FCD II). Long-term bilateral cortical recordings were obtained before and after spontaneous seizure onset. IEDs and HFOs (gamma, ripples, and fast ripples) were quantified in the dysplastic lesion and contralateral cortex during pre-epileptic, early, and late epileptic stages. The dysplastic lesion remained the principal seizure onset zone throughout disease progression and showed stable HFO activity after epilepsy onset. In contrast, the contralateral cortex exhibited progressive increases in IEDs and HFOs, demonstrating continuous recruitment into the epileptic network. Fast ripples were the earliest marker of this process, emerging within the first week after the first seizure and preceding increases in ripples, gamma, and IEDs. Propagation analysis showed that this contralateral increase was driven by independently generated HFOs rather than propagation from the lesion, indicating emergence of autonomous epileptogenic activity outside the primary focus. Spatiotemporal HFO analysis thus captures dynamic epileptic network remodeling beyond epileptogenic lesion. Fast ripples may serve as an early signature of network expansion and epileptogenicity emerging outside the primary lesion. Widespread structural and connectivity abnormalities extending beyond the lesion, combined with intense recurrent epileptic activity, may underlie the high endogenous epileptogenicity of FCD II, enabling small dysplastic lesions to recruit extensive neuronal networks across both hemispheres.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Chondroitin 4-sulphate depletion enhances synaptic plasticity and memory in aging

Perineuronal nets (PNNs), specialised extracellular matrix structures enriched in chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), are key regulators of synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Aging is characterised by a shift in chondroitin sulphate composition toward increased chondroitin-4-sulfation (C4S) and reduced C6S, a pattern associated with declining cognitive flexibility. Here, we investigated how selective reduction of C4S affects PNN structure, PV-interneuron connectivity, and cognitive performance across the lifespan. Conditional deletion of the C4-sulfotransferase Chst11 markedly reduced C4S levels and diminished dendritic PNN complexity while preserving somatic PNN structure. This partial destabilisation of PNNs increased excitatory synaptic input onto PV interneurons in both young and aged mice, without major alterations in basal hippocampal transmission or long-term potentiation. Behaviourally, Chst11 knockout mice showed robust and persistent protection against age-related cognitive decline. Working memory performance remained stable across aging, short-term spatial memory was enhanced from early adulthood onward, and object recognition memory was significantly prolonged at all retention delays, even in old age. Sociability and social novelty preference were also preserved longer in aging knockouts compared with controls. These improvements occurred despite an overall preservation of PNN architecture, indicating that modifying sulphation rather than removing CSPGs is sufficient to enhance plasticity. Our findings demonstrate that reducing C4S through Chst11 deletion confers long-lasting enhancements in cognitive function and mitigates aging-related decline. Targeting CS-GAG sulphation patterns may therefore represent a promising strategy for maintaining cognitive resilience and restoring plasticity in aging or neurodegenerative conditions.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Interictal activity fluctuations follow rather than precede seizures on multiple time scales in a mouse model of focal cortical dysplasia

The unpredictability of seizure occurrence is a major debilitating factor for people with epilepsy. A seizure forecasting system would greatly improve their quality of life. Successful seizure forecasting necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing seizure timing at multiple temporal scales. In this study, we investigated multiscale properties of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and seizure parameters in a highly realistic mouse model of focal cortical dysplasia-related epilepsy. We analyzed the properties evolution at four timescales, ranging from epilepsy progression and seizure clusters to circadian and peri-ictal changes. We discovered that the FCD-related epilepsy syndrome was progressive in terms of interictal activity rate and seizure characteristics. Sixty percent of seizures occurred in clusters. During the clusters, the seizure duration, seizure power, and IED rate were increasing. Circadian rhythm influenced seizure occurrence with the peak seizure probability at 4 p.m. under a standard 12/12 light dark cycle with lights-on at 6 a.m. Peri-ictal analysis revealed no significant change in IED rate preceding individual seizures; however, a consistent two-peak pattern of IED elevation was observed following seizures. Specifically, an initial peak in IED rate emerged 5-10 minutes post-seizure, returning to baseline within two hours, followed by a secondary peak 6-12 hours later, which again subsided to baseline levels in 24-48 hours. This pattern could be fitted with a sum of three exponentials. Using the three-exponential pattern, we simulated IED rate fluctuations in each animal. The smoothed simulated IED rates showed good agreement with the smoothed real recorded IED rates, suggesting that the cumulative effect of post-ictal IED patterns can account for long-term fluctuations in IED rate. Our results indicate that, in our model of FCD-related epilepsy, consistent IED rate fluctuations follow rather than precede individual seizures. Therefore, fluctuations in IED rate can be viewed as a reflection of cyclic seizure occurrence. This implies that either IED rate fluctuations or accurate seizure records may be equally valuable for seizure risk forecasting. HighlightsO_LIFCD-related epilepsy model displays a progressive nature and fluctuations between high and low seizure risk. C_LIO_LISeizures occur with higher probability in the day time which corresponds to sleep-related seizures commonly occurring in human patients with FCD. C_LIO_LIIED rate increases significantly after seizures, indicating a postictal effect rather than a preictal one, with the post-ictal phase displaying a two-peak pattern of fast and slow IED rate increase. C_LIO_LILong-term changes in the IED rate could be attributed to the time-dependent cumulative effect of the two-peak seizure-related increase in IED rate. C_LI

neuroscience↗