Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
Propagation and prolongation of rapid neuronal discharge underlies
the epilepsies. However, episodic focal rapid neuronal discharges
limited to discrete nuclei and pathways of the amygdala-hippocampal-septal-hypothalamic
networks are the language of physiologic message systems for
endocrine regulation and reproductive activities vital to the
survival of the organism and the species. To prevent prolongation
and propagation of physiologic pulsed excitation to areas outside
specific networks and resultant epileptic seizures, these discharges
must be limited in extent and time by powerful inhibitory processes.
The nucleus accumbens, a unit of the extended amygdala, and
the monoamines and GABA are components of the inhibitory networks
that restrict physiologic rapid discharge in duration and in
location. In parallel to the relationship of excessive neuronal
excitation to epilepsy, evidence will be presented that excessive
inhibition via one or more components of these inhibitory networks
or diminished excitation underlies development of some psychoses,
including schizophrenia.
