A physiologically plausible spatio-temporal model for EEG signals recorded with intracerebral electrodes in human partial epilepsy

Stereoelectroencephalography (depth-EEG signals) is a presurgical investigation technique of drug-resistant partial epilepsy, in which multiple sensor intracerebral electrodes are used to directly record brain electrical activity. In order to interpret depth-EEG signals, we developed an extended source model which connects two levels of representation: 1) a distributed current dipole model which describes the spatial distribution of neuronal sources; 2) a model of coupled neuronal populations which describes their temporal dynamics. From this extended source model, depth-EEG signals were simulated from the forward solution at each electrode sensor located inside the brain. Results showed that realistic transient epileptiform activities (spikes) are obtained under specific conditions in the model in terms of degree of coupling between neuronal populations and spatial extent of the source. In particular, the cortical area involved in the generation of epileptic spikes was estimated to vary from 18 to 25 cm(2), for brain conductivity values ranging from 30 to 35 x10(-5) S/mm, for high coupling degree between neuronal populations and for a volume conductor model that accounts for the three main tissues of the head (brain, skull, and scalp). This study provides insight into the relationship between spatio-temporal properties of cortical neuronal sources and depth-EEG signals.