Precentral Motor Cortical Ablation in Experimental Epilepsy in the Monkey

Abstract

Appln. of alumina cream to the precentral motor cortex of Macaca mulatta consistently induces recurrent convulsive seizures and electroencephalographic abnormalities. Such results ensue even though the cortex is ablated several months previously and the alumina cream is applied to the ablated site or adjacent cortex. In 2 monkeys, which had well-established seizures following the appln. of alumina cream to the promoter cortex, ablation of the irritated area caused suppression of seizures for 7 mos. and 1 yr., when the seizures returned. The authors suggest that subcortical tissue or circuits may function in the production of epileptic abnormalities produced experimentally.