Hippocampal low-frequency stimulation inhibits afterdischarge and increases GABA (A) receptor expression in amygdala-kindled pharmacoresistant epileptic rats

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to observe the effects of hippocampal low-frequency stimulation (Hip-LFS) on amygdala afterdischarge and GABA (A) receptor expression in pharmacoresistant epileptic (PRE) rats.

Methods: A total of 110 healthy adult male Wistar rats were used to generate a model of epilepsy by chronic stimulation of the amygdala. Sixteen PRE rats were selected from 70 amygdala-kindled rats by testing their response to Phenytoin and Phenobarbital, and they were randomly assigned to a pharmacoresistant stimulation group (PRS group, 8 rats) or a pharmacoresistant control group (PRC group, 8 rats). A stimulation electrode was implanted into the hippocampus of all of the rats. Hip-LFS was administered twice per day in the PRS group for two weeks. Simultaneously, amygdala stimulus-induced seizures and afterdischarge were recorded. After the hippocampal stimulation was terminated, the brain tissues were obtained to determine the GABA (A) receptors by a method of immumohistochemistry and a real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The stages and duration of the amygdala stimulus-induced epileptic seizures were decreased in the PRS group. The afterdischarge threshold was increased and the duration as well as the afterdischarge frequency was decreased. Simultaneously, the GABA (A) expression was significantly increased in the PRS group.

Conclusions: Hip-LFS may inhibit amygdala stimulus-induced epileptic seizures and up-regulate GABA (A) receptor expression in PRE rats. The antiepileptic effects of hippocampal stimulation may be partly achieved by increasing the GABA (A) receptor.     

耳甲腔电刺激对药物难治性癫痫大鼠发作及学习记忆影响的研究

目的探讨耳甲腔刺激对药物难治性癫痫大鼠痫性发作及学习记忆的影响,明确特定频率电刺激癫痫大鼠耳甲腔引起的行为学改变。方法 120只Wistar雄性大鼠氯化锂-匹鲁卡品制备惯常发作的颞叶癫痫大鼠,苯巴比妥诱导建立并筛选药物难治性癫痫大鼠50只,随机分为刺激组(20只)、假刺激组(20只)、非刺激组(10只)。按特定参数进行刺激,刺激参数设定为:电流强度1mA,波宽500μs,频率20Hz,刺激时间30s,间歇5分钟,10h/d(08:00~18:00),连续刺激4周。24小时视频脑电监测大鼠发作情况,刺激结束后,进行Morris水迷宫实验,观察大鼠学习记忆能力变化。三组大鼠断头取脑后切片,HE染色,镜下观察。结果成功建立并筛选药物难治性癫痫大鼠,耳甲腔刺激组大鼠癫痫发作次数明显下降,非刺激组和假刺激组大鼠癫痫情况无明显改变。三组间癫痫发作情况差异有统计学意义(P0.01);非刺激组和假刺激组刺激前后癫痫发作率无统计学意义(P0.05)。与假刺激和非刺激组相比,刺激组大鼠定向航行试验潜伏期明显缩短(P0.01),定向航行试验中刺激组大鼠穿越目标象限频次及目标象限停留时间均显著长于其他两组(P0.01)。HE染色发现假刺激组和非刺激组海马神经元明显变性、减少,刺激组则较轻。结论电刺激耳甲腔不仅能够显著抑制大鼠痫性发作,同时能改善因反复痫性发作而受损的学习记忆能力。     

下调GABA受体基因对癫痫模型大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡的影响及作用机制

目的 探讨下调GABA受体基因对癫痫模型大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡的影响及作用机制。方法 选择30只SD健康雄性大鼠,建立癫痫模型,建模成功后分为模型组、上调组、下调组各10只; 进行细胞转染建立稳定转染的GABA上调组、GABA下调组; 检测3组大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡及PI3K、AKt、mTOR、Bax、Caspase-3蛋白表达水平。结果 上调组大鼠各时间点海马神经细胞凋亡率高于模型组(P<0.05); 下调组大鼠各时间点海马神经细胞凋亡率低于模型组(P<0.05); 下调组大鼠各时间点海马神经细胞凋亡率低于上调组(P<0.05)。上调组大鼠各时间点海马神经细胞增殖率、Bcl-2、p-PI3K、p-AKt、p-mTOR蛋白表达水平均低于模型组,而Bax、Caspase-3蛋白表达水平高于模型组(P<0.05); 下调组大鼠各时间点海马神经细胞增殖率、Bcl-2、p-PI3K、p-AKt、p-mTOR蛋白表达水平均高于模型组,而Bax、Caspase-3蛋白表达水平低于模型组(P<0.05); 下调组大鼠各时间点海马神经细胞增值率、Bcl-2、p-PI3K、p-AKt、p-mTOR蛋白表达水平均高于上调组,而Bax、Caspase-3蛋白表达水平低于上调组(P<0.05)。结论 下调GABA受体基因可能是通过调节PI3K/AKt/mTOR来作用于下游凋亡靶基因,最终抑制癫痫模型大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡     

Electroacupuncture in rats normalizes the diabetes‐induced alterations in the septo‐hippocampal cholinergic system

Diabetes induces early sufferance in the cholinergic septo‐hippocampal system, characterized by deficits in learning and memory, reduced hippocampal plasticity and abnormal pro‐nerve growth factor (proNGF) release from hippocampal cells, all linked to dysfunctions in the muscarinic cholinergic modulation of hippocampal physiology. These alterations are associated with dysregulation of several cholinergic markers, such as the NGF receptor system and the acetylcholine biosynthetic enzyme choline‐acetyl transferase (ChAT), in the medial septum and its target, the hippocampus. Controlled and repeated sensory stimulation by electroacupuncture has been proven effective in counteracting the consequences of diabetes on cholinergic system physiology in the brain. Here, we used a well‐established Type 1 diabetes model, obtained by injecting young adult male rats with streptozotocin, to induce sufferance in the septo‐hippocampal system. We then evaluated the effects of a 3‐week treatment with low‐frequency electroacupuncture on: (a) the expression and protein distribution of proNGF in the hippocampus, (b) the tissue distribution and content of NGF receptors in the medial septum, (c) the neuronal cholinergic and glial phenotype in the septo‐hippocampal circuitry. Twice‐a‐week treatment with low‐frequency electroacupuncture normalized, in both hippocampus and medial septum, the ratio between the neurotrophic NGF and its neurotoxic counterpart, the precursor proNGF. Electroacupuncture regulated the balance between the two major proNGF variants (proNGF‐A and proNGF‐B) at both gene expression and protein synthesis levels. In addition, electroacupuncture recovered to basal level the pro‐neurotrophic NGF receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase‐A content, down‐regulated in medial septum cholinergic neurons by diabetes. Electroacupuncture also regulated ChAT content in medial septum neurons and its anterograde transport toward the hippocampus. Our data indicate that repeated sensory stimulation can positively affect brain circuits involved in learning and memory, reverting early impairment induced by diabetes development. Electroacupuncture could exert its effects on the septo‐hippocampal cholinergic neurotransmission in diabetic rats, not only by rescuing the hippocampal muscarinic responsivity, as previously described, but also normalizing acetylcholine biosynthesis and NGF metabolism in the hippocampus.     

癫痫发作过程中迷走神经刺激对癫痫的抑制作用

目的 我们以前的研究发现大鼠海马神经元对刺激的敏感性在癫痫发作过程中是变化的,并且与神经电活动的非线性动力学特征密切相关.本研究观察在癫痫发作过程中迷走神经刺激(vagal nerve stimulation,VNS)对癫痫的抑制作用.方法 在青霉素诱导的大鼠癫痫模型上,通过记录皮层脑电图和下肢肌电图观察癫痫发作情况,电刺激左侧颈部迷走神经,观察VNS对癫痫的抑制作用.结果 VNS对癫痫活动有明显的抑制作用,其抑制作用随着刺激时间的延长而增加;同时发现VNS对癫痫的抑制作用在癫痫发作过程是不同的,癫痫发作开始阶段VNS的抑制作用较强,随着癫痫发作的发展,其抑制作用逐渐减弱.结论 大鼠癫痫发作过程中大脑对VNS的敏感性是不同的,随着癫痫的发展,VNS对癫痫的抑制作用逐渐减弱.     

N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor channel blockers prevent pentylenetetrazole‐induced convulsions and morphological changes in rat brain neurons

Alterations in inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission play a central role in the etiology of epilepsy, with overstimulation of glutamate receptors influencing epileptic activity and corresponding neuronal damage. N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which belong to a class of ionotropic glutamate receptors, play a primary role in this process. This study compared the anticonvulsant properties of two NMDA receptor channel blockers, memantine and 1‐phenylcyclohexylamine (IEM‐1921), in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model of seizures in rats and investigated their potencies in preventing PTZ‐induced morphological changes in the brain. The anticonvulsant properties of IEM‐1921 (5 mg/kg) were more pronounced than those of memantine at the same dose. IEM‐1921 and memantine decreased the duration of convulsions by 82% and 37%, respectively. Both compounds were relatively effective at preventing the tonic component of seizures but not myoclonic seizures. Memantine significantly reduced the lethality caused by PTZ‐induced seizures from 42% to 11%, and all animals pretreated with IEM‐1921 survived. Morphological examination of the rat brain 24 hr after administration of PTZ revealed alterations in the morphology of 20–25% of neurons in the neocortex and the hippocampus, potentially induced by excessive glutamate. The expression of the excitatory amino acid transporter 1 protein was increased in the hippocampus of the PTZ‐treated rats. However, dark neurons did not express caspase‐3 and were immunopositive for the neuronal nuclear antigen protein, indicating that these neurons were alive. Both NMDA antagonists prevented neuronal abnormalities in the brain. These results suggest that NMDA receptor channel blockers might be considered possible neuroprotective agents for prolonged seizures or status epilepticus leading to neuronal damage. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

癫痫发作过程中迷走神经刺激对癫痫的抑制作用

目的我们以前的研究发现大鼠海马神经元对刺激的敏感性在癫痫发作过程中是变化的,并且与神经电活动的非线性动力学特征密切相关。本研究观察在癫痫发作过程中迷走神经刺激(vagal nerve stimulation,VNS)对癫痫的抑制作用。方法在青霉素诱导的大鼠癫痫模型上,通过记录皮层脑电图和下肢肌电图观察癫痫发作情况,电刺激左侧颈部迷走神经,观察VNS对癫痫的抑制作用。结果VNS对癫痫活动有明显的抑制作用,其抑制作用随着刺激时间的延长而增加:同时发现VNS对癫痫的抑制作用在癫痫发作过程是不同的,癫痫发作开始阶段VNS的抑制作用较强,随着癫痫发作的发展,其抑制作用逐渐减弱。结论大鼠癫痫发作过程中大脑对VNS的敏感性是不同的,随着癫痫的发展,VNS对癫痫的抑制作用逐渐减弱。     

Seizure severity‐dependent selective vulnerability of the granule cell layer and aberrant neurogenesis in the rat hippocampus

The pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus rodent model has been commonly used to analyze the mechanisms of human temporal lobe epilepsy. Recent studies using this model have demonstrated that epileptic seizures lead to increased adult neurogenesis of the dentate granule cells, and cause abnormal cellular organization in dentate neuronal circuits. In this study, we examined these structural changes in rats with seizures of varying severity. In rats with frequent severe seizures, we found a clear loss of Prox1 and NeuN expression in the dentate granule cell layer (GCL), which was confined mainly to the suprapyramidal blade of the GCL at the septal and middle regions of the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus. In the damaged suprapyramidal region, the number of immature neurons in the subgranular zone was markedly reduced. In contrast, in rats with less frequent severe seizures, there was almost no loss of Prox1 and NeuN expression, and the number of immature neurons was increased. In rats with no or slight loss of Prox1 expression in the GCL, ectopic immature neurons were detected in the molecular layer of the suprapyramidal blade in addition to the hilus, and formed chainlike aggregated structures along the blood vessels up to the hippocampal fissure, suggesting that newly generated neurons migrate at least partially along blood vessels to the hippocampal fissure. These results suggest that seizures of different severity cause different effects on GCL damage, neurogenesis, and the migration of new neurons, and that these structural changes are selective to subdivisions of the GCL and the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus.     

Presynaptic GABA(B) receptors on glutamatergic terminals of CA1 pyramidal cells decrease in efficacy after partial hippocampal kindling

We tested the hypothesis that presynaptic GABA(B) receptors on glutamatergic terminals (GABA(B) heterosynaptic receptors) decreased in efficacy after partial hippocampal kindling. Rats were implanted with chronically indwelling electrodes and 15 hippocampal afterdischarges were evoked by high-frequency electrical stimulation of hippocampal CA1. Control rats were implanted with electrodes but not given high-frequency stimulations. One to 21 days after the last afterdischarge, excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were recorded in CA1 of hippocampal slices in vitro, following stimulation of the stratum radiatum. Field EPSPs (fEPSPs) were recorded in CA1 stratum radiatum and intracellular EPSPs (iEPSPs) were recorded from CA1 pyramidal cells. GABA(B) receptor agonist +/- baclofen (10 microM) in the bath suppressed the fEPSPs significantly more in control than kindled rats, at 1 or 21 days after kindling. Similarly, baclofen (10 microM) suppressed iEPSPs more in the control than the kindled group of neurons recorded at 1 day after kindling. Suppression of the fEPSPs by 1 microM N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine, which acted on presynaptic A1 receptors, was not different between kindled and control rats. Activation of the GABA(B) heteroreceptors by a conditioning burst stimulation of CA3 afferents suppressed the iEPSPs evoked by a test pulse. The suppression of the iEPSPs at 250-500 ms condition-test interval was larger in control than kindled groups of neurons. It was concluded that the efficacy of presynaptic GABA(B) receptors on the glutamatergic terminals was reduced after partial hippocampal kindling. The reduction in heterosynaptic presynaptic GABA(B) receptor efficacy will increase glutamate release and seizure susceptibility, particularly during repeated neural activity.     

Suppression of hippocampal epileptic seizures in the kainate rat by Poisson distributed stimulation

Purpose: Hippocampal deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an experimental therapy for patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Despite the successful clinical application of DBS, the optimal stimulation parameters are undetermined. We evaluate the efficacy of a new form of DBS, using continuous stimuli with Poisson distributed intervals (Poisson distributed stimulation, PDS) in the kainate (KA) rat model, a validated model for human TLE. Methods: Status epilepticus was elicited by injection of KA (i.p.). After development of spontaneous seizures, rats were implanted with hippocampal DBS‐ and depth electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes. After baseline EEG monitoring, one group of rats (n = 13) was treated with PDS and a second (n = 11) received regular high frequency stimulation (HFS) at 130 Hz. Stimulation intensity was 100 μA below the threshold for induction of epileptiform EEG activity. Results: Stimulation intensity was significantly lower for PDS (156 ± 20 μA) than HFS (207 ± 23 μA; p < 0.02). Seven (54%) of 13 rats treated with PDS and 5 (45%) of 11 rats treated with HFS experienced a significant reduction in seizure frequency. In PDS‐improved rats, seizure frequency was reduced to 33% (p < 0.01) of baseline value and in HFS‐improved rats to 50% (p < 0.01). After termination of PDS, seizure rate returned to baseline value. Discussion: Continuous hippocampal PDS significantly reduces the number of spontaneous seizures. Compared to regular HFS, there is a slightly larger number of improved rats and a larger efficacy at a considerably lower stimulus intensity. The first two observations leave room for optimization, whereas a lower intensity is beneficial for battery life.     

Physical exercise alters the activation of downstream proteins related to BDNF‐TrkB signaling in male Wistar rats with epilepsy

There are a considerable number of studies concerning the behavioral effects of physical exercise on the epileptic brain; however, the intracellular signaling mechanisms involved remain unclear. We investigated the effects of aerobic exercise on hippocampal levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), expression of its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and activation of intracellular proteins related to BDNF‐TrkB signaling in male Wistar rats with pilocarpine‐induced epilepsy. Thirty days after the first spontaneous seizure, rats from the exercise group undertook a 30‐day physical exercise program on the treadmill. Thereafter, BDNF levels, expression of TrkB, and activation of intracellular proteins were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and multiplex assay, respectively. Statistical analyses were conducted using nonparametric tests. Rats with epilepsy presented decreased BDNF levels compared with control rats. BDNF levels increased significantly in the exercise group compared with the epileptic and control groups. Expression of full‐length and truncated TrkB was increased in rats with epilepsy, and physical exercise restored its expression to control levels. RAC‐alpha serine/threonine‐protein kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activation were reduced in rats with epilepsy, and exercise increased activation compared with control and epilepsy groups. Increased cAMP response element binding protein activation was observed in the exercise group compared with the epilepsy group. Our findings indicate that the beneficial effects of exercise in the epileptic brain can be in part related to alterations in the activation of proteins related to the BDNF‐TrkB signaling pathway.     

The theta‐related firing activity of parvalbumin‐positive neurons in the medial septum‐diagonal band of broca complex and their response to 5‐HT1A Receptor stimulation in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

The parvalbumin (PV)‐positive neurons in the medial septum‐diagonal band of Broca complex (MS‐DB) play an important role in the generation of hippocampal theta rhythm involved in cognitive functions. These neurons in this region express a high density of 5‐HT_1A receptors which regulate the neuronal activity and consequently affect the theta rhythm. In this study, we examined changes in the theta‐related firing activity of PV‐positive neurons in the MS‐DB, their response to 5‐HT_1A receptor stimulation and the corresponding hippocampal theta rhythm, and the density of PV‐positive neurons and their co‐localization with 5‐HT_1A receptors in rats with 6‐hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The lesion of the SNc decreased the rhythmically bursting activity of PV‐positive neurons and the peak frequency of hippocampal theta rhythm. Systemic administration of 5‐HT_1A receptor agonist 8‐OH‐DPAT (0.5–128 µg/kg, i.v.) inhibited the firing rate of PV‐positive neurons and disrupted rhythmically bursting activity of the neurons and the theta rhythm in sham‐operated and the lesioned rats, respectively. The cumulative doses producing inhibition and disruption in the lesioned rats were higher than that of sham‐operated rats. Furthermore, local application of 8‐OH‐DPAT (0.005 μg) in the MS‐DB also inhibited the firing rate of PV‐positive neurons and disrupted their rhythmically bursting activity in sham‐operated rats, while having no effect on PV‐positive neurons in the lesioned rats. The lesion of the SNc decreased the density of PV‐positive neurons in the MS‐DB, and percentage of PV‐positive neurons expressing 5‐HT_1A receptors. These results indicate that the lesion of the SNc leads to suppression of PV‐positive neurons in the MS‐DB and hippocampal theta rhythm. Furthermore, the lesion decreases the response of these neurons to 5‐HT_1A receptor stimulation, which attributes to dysfunction and/or down‐regulation of 5‐HT_1A receptor expression on these neurons. These changes may be involved in cognitive impairments of Parkinson's disease. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Coactivation of GABA receptors inhibits the JNK3 apoptotic pathway via disassembly of GluR6‐PSD‐95‐MLK3 signaling module in KA‐induced seizure

Purpose: Past work has demonstrated that kainic acid (KA)–induced seizures could cause the enhancement of excitation and lead to neuronal death in rat hippocampus. To counteract such an imbalance between excitation and inhibition, we designed experiments by activating the inhibitory γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor to investigate whether such activation suppresses the excitatory glutamate signaling induced by KA and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Muscimol coapplied with baclofen was intraperitoneally administrated to the rats 40 min before KA injection by intracerebroventricular infusion. Subsequently we used a series of methods including immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, histologic analysis, and immunohistochemistry to analyze the interaction, expression, and phosphorylation of relevant proteins as well as the survival of the CA1/CA3 pyramidal neurons. Results: Coadministration of muscimol and baclofen exerted neuroprotection against neuron death induced by KA; inhibited the increased assembly of the GluR6‐PSD‐95‐MLK3 module induced by KA; and suppressed the activation of MLK3, MKK7, and JNK3. Discussion: Taken together, we demonstrate that coactivation of the inhibitory GABA receptors can attenuate the excitatory JNK3 apoptotic signaling pathway via inhibiting the increased assembly of the GluR6‐PSD‐95‐MLK3 signaling module induced by KA. This provides a new insight into the therapeutic approach to epileptic seizure.     

NDRG2通过Hes1参与癫痫发作后海马齿状回的神经发生

目的 探讨N-Myc下游调节基因2(N-Myc downstream regulated gene 2,NDRG2)与癫痫发作后海马齿状回神经发生的关系。方法 C57BL/6小鼠20只,随机分为癫痫组和对照组,每组又分为癫痫造模后1和7 d两个时间点,每个时间点5只,通过蛋白免疫印迹检测癫痫后海马齿状回NDRG2蛋白相对表达水平和mRNA相对表达水平变化; 使用双皮质素(DCX)染色标记未成熟神经元,神经巢蛋白(Nestin)标记神经干细胞,神经核蛋白(NeuN)标记成熟神经元,观察NDRG2对海马齿状回神经干细胞增殖影响; 采用RT-PCR检测发状分裂相关增强子1(hairy and enhancer of split 1,Hes 1)、NDRG2 mRNA相对表达表达水平,并分析两者之间的相关性; 观察NDRG2参与癫痫发作后神经发生的可能机制。结果 癫痫组与对照组比较,DCX、Nestin、NeuN、Hes1、NDRG2蛋白相对表达水平在1和7 d这2个时间点有显著性增高,并随时间逐渐递增。结论 癫痫发作后海马NDRG2蛋白相对表达水平增高,与癫痫发作后海马齿状回的神经细胞增值时间具有一致性和相关性,NDRG2可能参与癫痫发作后海马齿状回的神经发生过程; 同时发现海马NDRG2表达增加和Hes1分子表达增加具有相关性,故推测NDRG2可能通过Hes1参与癫痫发作后海马齿状回的神经发生。     

Targeted hippocampal GABA neuron ablation by Stable Substance P–saporin causes hippocampal sclerosis and chronic epilepsy in rats

Cryptogenic temporal lobe epilepsy develops in the absence of identified brain injuries, infections, or structural malformations, and in these cases, an unidentified pre‐existing abnormality may initiate febrile seizures, hippocampal sclerosis, and epilepsy. Although a role for GABAergic dysfunction in epilepsy is intuitively obvious, no causal relationship has been established. In this study, hippocampal GABA neurons were targeted for selective elimination to determine whether a focal hippocampal GABAergic defect in an otherwise normal brain can initiate cryptogenic temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis. We used Stable Substance P–saporin conjugate (SSP‐saporin) to target rat hippocampal GABA neurons, which selectively and constitutively express the neurokinin‐1 receptors that internalize this neurotoxin. Bilateral and longitudinally extensive intrahippocampal microinjections of SSP‐saporin caused no obvious behavioral effects for several days. However, starting ~4 days postinjection, rats exhibited episodes of immobilization, abnormal flurries of “wet‐dog” shakes, and brief focal motor seizures characterized by facial automatisms and forepaw clonus. These clinically subtle behaviors stopped after ~4 days. Convulsive status epilepticus did not develop, and no deaths occurred. Months later, chronically implanted rats exhibited spontaneous focal motor seizures and extreme hippocampal sclerosis. These data suggest that hippocampal GABAergic dysfunction is epileptogenic and can produce the defining features of cryptogenic temporal lobe epilepsy.     

Experimental early‐life febrile seizures induce changes in GABAAR‐mediated neurotransmission in the dentate gyrus

Purpose: Febrile seizures (FS), the most frequent seizure type during childhood, have been linked to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in adulthood. Yet, underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Altered γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission in the dentate gyrus (DG) circuit has been hypothesized to be involved. This study aims at analyzing whether experimental FS change inhibitory synaptic input and postsynaptic GABA_AR function in dentate granule cells. Methods: We applied an immature rat model of hyperthermia (HT)–induced FS. GABA_AR‐mediated neurotransmission was studied using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings from dentate granule neurons in hippocampal slices within 6–9 days post‐HT. Key Findings: Frequencies of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) were reduced in HT rats that had experienced seizures, whereas sIPSC amplitudes were enhanced. Whole‐cell GABA responses revealed a doubled GABA_AR sensitivity in dentate granule cells from HT animals, compared to that of normothermic (NT) controls. Analysis of sIPSCs and whole‐cell GABA responses showed similar kinetics in postsynaptic GABA_ARs of HT and NT rats. quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) experiments indicated changes in DG GABA_AR subunit expression, which was most pronounced for the α3 subunit. Significance: The data support the hypothesis that FS persistently alter neuronal excitability.     

Multireceptor analysis in human neocortex reveals complex alterations of receptor ligand binding in focal epilepsies

Purpose: A disturbed balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission underlies epileptic activity, although reports concerning neurotransmitter systems involved remain controversial. Methods: We quantified densities of 15 receptors in neocortical biopsies from patients with pharmacoresistant focal temporal lobe epilepsy and autopsy controls, and searched for correlations between density alterations and clinical factors or the occurrence of spontaneous synaptic potentials in vitro. Key Findings: α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), kainate, N‐methyl‐d ‐aspartate (NMDA), peripheral benzodiazepine, muscarinic (M)₁, M₂, nicotinic, α₁, α_2h, serotonin (5‐HT)_1A, and adenosine (A)₁ receptor densities were significantly altered in biopsies. The epileptic cohort was subdivided based on clinical (febrile seizures, hippocampal sclerosis, neocortical pathologies, surgery outcome) or electrophysiologic (spontaneous field potentials) criteria, resulting in different patterns of significantly altered receptor types when comparing a given epileptic group with controls. Only AMPA, kainate, M₂, and 5‐HT_1A receptors were always significantly altered. γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA)_A, GABA_B, and 5‐HT₂ receptor alterations were never significant. Correlation patterns between receptor alterations and illness duration or seizure frequency varied depending on whether the epileptic cohort was considered as a whole or subdivided. Significance: Neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with a generalized receptor imbalance resulting in a net potentiation of excitatory neurotransmission. Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor alterations highlight that astrocytes are also impaired by seizure activity.     

自发性癫痫大鼠脑海马两种锌转运体表达的研究

目的 探讨反复癫痫发作后的自发性癫痫大鼠(SER)与正常Wistar大鼠脑海马锌转运体1和3的表达与癫痫的相关性,以及癫痫发作后脑海马内含锌神经元内锌稳态的改变情况.方法 应用Western blot和RT-PCR方法分析反复癫痫发作后的SER与正常Wistar大鼠脑海马锌转运体1和3表达情况.结果 SER反复癫痫发作后脑海马锌转运体1蛋白及mRNA表达均明显高于正常Wistar大鼠,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);锌转运体3蛋白表达与正常Wistar大鼠相比无明显改变,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 反复癫痫发作后SER脑海马可能在神经元尤其突触后神经元内出现锌浓度增高现象,锌转运体1表达上调可通过降低神经元内Zn2+水平对抗癫痫发作引起的神经元损伤,从而起到保护神经元的作用.