Epileptogenesis in the immature brain: emerging mechanisms

摘要: Epileptogenesis is defined as the process of developing epilepsy-a disorder characterized by recurrent seizures-following an initial insult. Seizure incidence during human lifespan at its highest in infancy and childhood. Animal models epilepsy tissue studies suggest that epileptogenesis involves a cascade molecular, cellular neuronal network alterations. Within minutes to days following insult, there are acute early changes networks, which include rapid alterations ion channel kinetics result membrane depolarization, post-translational modifications existing functional proteins, activation immediate genes. Subacute occur over hours weeks, transcriptional events, death inflammatory cascades. The chronic follow weeks months anatomical changes, such neurogenesis, mossy fiber sprouting, reorganization, gliosis. These epileptogenic processes developmentally regulated might contribute differences between adult brains. Here we review factors responsible for enhanced seizure susceptibility brain, consider age-specific mechanisms epileptogenesis. An understanding these could yield potential therapeutic targets prevention also provide biomarkers identifying patients risk or monitoring disease progression.