Febrile seizures in the developing brain result in persistent modificationof neuronal excitability in limbic circuits

Febrile (fever-induced) seizures affect 3-5% of infants and young children. Despite the high incidence of febrile seizures, their contribution to the development of epilepsy later in life has remained controversial. Combining a new rat model of complex febrile seizures and patch clamp techniques, we determined that hyperthermia-induced seizures in the immature rat cause a selective presynaptic increase in inhibitory synaptic transmission in the h ippocampus that lasts into adulthood. The long-lasting nature of these pote nt alterations in synaptic communication after febrile seizures does not su pport the prevalent view of the 'benign' nature of early-life febrile convu lsions.