synchronization neuron brain seizure gap junction

For Cx36, the staining intensity was higher in the CA2 region in the epilepsy group. Inferior olivary (IO) neurons are electrically coupled through gap junctions and generate synchronous subthreshold oscillations of their membrane potential. There was, however, regional variation within each Cx subtype.

Chemical synaptic and gap junctional interactions between principal neurons: partners in epileptogenesis. There was no evidence of any differential expression of Cx36. 2011, Traub RD, Cunningham MO, Whittington MA. Two independent reviewers rated each Cx–region combination according to an immunoreactive score.Īcross all three measures-that is, staining intensity, percentage of positively stained cells, and immunoreactive score-Cx32 appeared to be expressed at a significantly lower level in the epileptic patients compared with controls (p < 0.001 for each measure), whereas Cx43 appeared to be expressed more among the epileptic patients (p < 0.001 for each measure). Each slide demonstrated multiple cells from each of six regions (CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4, dentate gyrus, and subiculum). Because gap junctions enhance synchronization in networks of neurons, this can potentially lead to the elevation of excitatory activity and thus promote. Immunostaining was performed to create one slide for each of the three Cxs. These expression levels were compared with those in hippocampi obtained in nonepileptic patients during postmortem dissection. To explore roles for connexin36 (Cx36) gap junctions in seizures. Further studies using more specific manipulations of gap junctions in different cell types and in human epileptic tissue are needed to fully uncover the role of gap junctions in epilepsy.The expression of Cxs32, -36, and -43 was studied in 47 consecutive samples of hippocampi obtained from epileptic patients who had undergone an amygdalohippocampectomy for the treatment of intractable seizure. Large-scale synchronous firing of neurons during seizures is modulated by electrotonic coupling between neurons via gap junctions. It is also of interest that the roles of neuronal and astrocytic gap junctions in epilepsy have been investigated independently, based on evidence from pharmacological manipulations and connexin-knockout mice. The anticonvulsant effects of gap junction blockers both in vitro and in vivo suggest that the gap junction is a candidate target for the development of antiepileptic drugs. The present review mainly summarizes recent reports concerning the contribution of gap junctions to the pathophysiology of epilepsy, together with the regulation of connexin after clinical and experimental seizure activity. Gap junctions have recently been proposed to be involved in the generation, synchronization and maintenance of seizure events. Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by periodic and unpredictable seizures.

Synchronization neuron brain seizure gap junction