Population spikes vary in size during prolonged epileptic (“ictal”) discharges, indicating variations in neuronal synchronisation. Here we investigate the role of changes in tissue electrical resistivity in this process. We used the rat hippocampal slice, low Ca model of epilepsy and measured changes in pyramidal layer extracellular resistance during the course of electrographic seizures. Durin...

Electric eels can incapacitate prey with an electric discharge, but the mechanism of the eel's attack is unknown. Through a series of experiments, I show that eel high-voltage discharges can activate prey motor neurons, and hence muscles, allowing eels to remotely control their target. Eels prevent escape in free-swimming prey using high-frequency volleys to induce immobilizing whole-body muscl...