DURING AFTERDISCHARGES IN THE YOUNG-RAT IN-VIVO EXTRACELLULAR POTASSIUM IS NOT ELEVATED ABOVE ADULT LEVELS

Studies have suggested that in the immature brain an unusually high ce iling level for potassium may lead to an increased propensity for seiz ures. In these experiments, the peak levels of extracellular potassium in the hippocampus in vivo were recorded in immature rats 10-27 days old and compared to levels reached in adults. There was no difference in the peak level of potassium attained during an afterdischarge in an y of the age groups tested.