Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...

Glial Cells

Glial Cells

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...

The Blood-brain Barrier

The Blood-brain Barrier

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

LRRC8-Mediated Glutamate Release from Astrocytes Is Not Increased During the Initiation of Experimental Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026

Same author

AMPA Receptors in NG2 Glia Differently Affect Signal Transduction in the Hippocampus and Cerebellum.

Glia·2025

Same author

Correction: Induced Overexpression of Connexin43 in Astrocytes Attenuates the Progression of Experimental Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Neurochemical research·2025

Same author

Induced Overexpression of Connexin43 in Astrocytes Attenuates the Progression of Experimental Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Neurochemical research·2025

Same author

Targeting necroptosis protects against astrocyte death and hippocampal sclerosis in experimental temporal lobe epilepsy.

The Journal of physiology·2025

Same author

Super-resolution Analysis of Astrocyte Morphology Using Expansion Microscopy.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A Cell Culture Model for Studying the Role of Neuron-Glia Interactions in Ischemia

A Cell Culture Model for Studying the Role of Neuron-Glia Interactions in Ischemia

Published on: November 14, 2020

Astrocytic function and its alteration in the epileptic brain.

Ronald Jabs¹, Gerald Seifert, Christian Steinhäuser

¹Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

|March 8, 2008

Summary

New epilepsy treatments are needed as current drugs fail for many. This study explores how astrocyte changes in the brain might contribute to seizure activity, offering insights for future therapies.

More Related Videos

A Model of Epileptogenesis in Rhinal Cortex-Hippocampus Organotypic Slice Cultures

A Model of Epileptogenesis in Rhinal Cortex-Hippocampus Organotypic Slice Cultures

Published on: March 18, 2021

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Published on: January 19, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A Cell Culture Model for Studying the Role of Neuron-Glia Interactions in Ischemia

A Cell Culture Model for Studying the Role of Neuron-Glia Interactions in Ischemia

Published on: November 14, 2020

A Model of Epileptogenesis in Rhinal Cortex-Hippocampus Organotypic Slice Cultures

A Model of Epileptogenesis in Rhinal Cortex-Hippocampus Organotypic Slice Cultures

Published on: March 18, 2021

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Generation and On-Demand Initiation of Acute Ictal Activity in Rodent and Human Tissue

Published on: January 19, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Biology
Epilepsy Research

Background:

Existing anticonvulsant therapies are ineffective for approximately one-third of epilepsy patients, highlighting the need for novel treatment strategies.
Epilepsy is frequently associated with reactive gliosis, a glial cell response, but its precise role in seizure generation and propagation remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the properties of astrocytes and their alterations in epileptic brain tissue.
To deepen the understanding of the cellular basis of hyperexcitability and synchronization in epilepsy.
To lay the groundwork for developing new hypotheses regarding the involvement of glia in epilepsy.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of current research on astrocyte function and changes in epilepsy.
Analysis of cellular properties of astrocytes relevant to neuronal hyperexcitability and synchronization.
Examination of findings linking astroglial function to seizure activity.

Main Results:

Astrocytes exhibit altered properties in epileptic tissues, potentially influencing neuronal network function.
Modified astroglial function may play a role in the generation and spread of seizures.
Understanding these glial changes is crucial for developing targeted epilepsy therapies.

Conclusions:

A comprehensive understanding of astrocyte alterations in epilepsy is essential for advancing treatment options.
Further research into glial cell roles can uncover novel therapeutic targets for epilepsy.
This review provides a foundation for future investigations into glia-based epilepsy therapies.