Persistent firing in cortical interneurons: mechanisms and potential anticonvulsant role

正常的大脑在过多的电活动（癫痫）和过少的电活动（镇静）之间徘徊。我们发现了一类脑细胞，它们的行为就像哨兵，监视大脑活动，寻找癫痫的迹象。如果癫痫发作，这个细胞就会开启一个电子制动器来抑制过度的活动。在这个项目中，我们将研究这种刹车是如何工作的，以及它是否真的能抑制癫痫发作。我们的研究可能会带来更好的治疗癫痫的方法。

The normal brain treads a fine line between too much electrical activity (epilepsy) and too little (sedation). We have discovered a class of brain cell that seems to behave like a sentinel, monitoring brain activity for signs of epilepsy. If a seizure occurs, this cell switches on an electrical brake that dampens excess activity. In this project we will study how this brake works and whether it really can inhibit seizures. Our research may lead to better treatments for epilepsy.