Voltage-sensitive dyes and fast optical recording techniques were used to monitor the spatio-temporal activity pattern of epileptiform potentials in hippocampal slices from guinea pigs. Epileptiform potentials were induced by adding 4-aminopyridine to the bath solution and applying single pulse stimulation either to the stratum pyramidale of area CA3 or to the stratum radiatum of area CA1. Optical activity as well as intra- or extracellular electrical activity were recorded from area CA1. There was a good correlation between optical and intracellular records from the same site. The spatio-temporal activity pattern of control and epileptiform potentials elicited by stimulation of CA1 was similar for the initial part of the potential. Then, epileptiform changes became apparent throughout the vertical extent of pyramidal neurons. Qualitative changes occurred in the stratum moleculare, reflecting activity of apical dendrites, such changes occurred even more strongly in the stratum oriens, reflecting activity of basal dendrites. The activity in the stratum oriens occurred relatively late, so that it cannot account for the initiation of epileptic discharges. It might, however, play an important role in the synchronization and spread of epileptiform potentials. The investigation of the horizontal distribution of potentials throughout the entire area CA1 indicates that different mechanisms are involved in the spread of epileptiform activity elicited by stimulation of CA1 and stimulation of CA3.