Age-Dependent Alterations of Functional Inhibition in a Rat Model of Cortical Lesions

Cortical lesions in the rat brain induce changes in neuronal activity like reduced functional inhibition. Here we investigated post-lesional effects of a focal lesion on cortical field-potentials in young, middle-aged and old rats. Focal cortical lesions were induced at the border of parietal and occipital areas by injection of the photosensitive dye rose bengal and illumination of the skull. The surgery was performed on 3-, 12- and 24-month-old rats. Cortical field potentials were recorded 7 days after lesion induction on coronal brain slices using the paired pulse protocol. A bipolar stimulation electrode was…