Dynamic oxygen changes during status epilepticus and subsequent endogenous kindling

Objective Brain tissue oxygen (partial oxygen pressure [pO2]) levels are tightly regulated to stay within the normoxic zone, with deviations on either side resulting in impaired brain function. Whereas pathological events such as ischemic attacks and brief seizures have previously been shown to result in pO2 levels well below the normoxic zone, oxygen levels during prolonged status epilepticus (SE) and the subsequent endogenous kindling period are unknown. Methods We utilized two models of acquired temporal lobe epilepsy in rats: intrahippocampal kainic acid infusion and prolonged perforant pathway stimulation. Local tissue oxygen was measured in the dorsal hippocampus using an optode during and for several weeks following SE. Results We observed hyperoxia in the hippocampus during induced SE in both models. Following termination of SE, 88% of rats initiated focal self‐generated spiking activity in the hippocampus within the first 7 days, which was associated with dynamic oxygen changes. Self‐generated and recurring epileptiform activity subsequently organized into higher‐frequency bursts that became progressively longer and were ultimately associated with behavioral seizures that became more severe with time and led to postictal hypoxia. Significance Induced SE and self‐generated recurrent epileptiform activity can have profound and opposing effects on brain tissue oxygenation that may serve as a biomarker for ongoing pathological activity in the brain.