However, there is no consensus as to which features in the standard epidural cortical recordings make single spikes in EEG “epileptic” in the transgenic AD mice and not even a generally accepted definition for a “spike.” Based on previous publications in APP transgenic mice (9, 13, 14) we adopted relative strict amplitude (>6 SD) and duration (<50 ms) criteria for surface-negative spikes recorded with standard cortical screw electrodes to be included in our study encompassing 15 842 spike discharges. The gene discussed is APP; the disease is Alzheimer disease.