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...

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...

Neuron Structure

Neuron Structure

Neurons are the main type of cell in the nervous system that generate and transmit electrochemical signals. They primarily communicate with each other using neurotransmitters at specific junctions called synapses. Neurons come in many shapes that often relate to their function, but most share three main structures: an axon and dendrites that extend out from a cell body.
Structure and Function of Neurons
The neuronal cell body—the soma— houses the nucleus and organelles vital to cellular...

Glial Cells

Glial Cells

Epilepsy ll: Types

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Mitochondrial DNA Variation in the Aging Human Cerebral Cortex and Cerebellum.

Aging cell·2025

Same author

Neuroinflammation and Disease: Pathways and Opportunities.

Annual review of pharmacology and toxicology·2025

Same author

Cerebellum mitochondrial DNA copy number is increased in Parkinson's disease.

Brain communications·2025

Same author

Brain-invading monocytes promote seizure-associated cognitive deficits and neurodegeneration.

Neuropharmacology·2025

Same author

Towards early diagnosis and screening of Alzheimer's disease using frequency locked whispering gallery mode microtoroids.

Npj biosensing·2025

Same author

Neurofibrillary tangles predict dementia in patients with carotid stenosis.

Journal of vascular surgery·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

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

Astrocytes in the epileptic brain.

Jonathon Wetherington¹, Geidy Serrano, Ray Dingledine

¹Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

|April 29, 2008

Summary

Reactive astrocytes in epilepsy influence brain excitability through altered signaling and ion balance, offering new drug targets for neurological disorders.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Biology
Neurology

Background:

Astrocytes, crucial glial cells in the central nervous system, are increasingly recognized for their role in neurological disorders.
Understanding astrocyte function is vital for comprehending abnormal network excitability in conditions like acquired epilepsy following brain injury.
Recent advances illuminate the molecular mechanisms governing astrocyte physiology and their involvement in disease pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the multifaceted roles of astrocytes in the development of abnormal network excitability in chronic neurological disorders.
To explore how reactive astrocytes contribute to seizure generation and progression in epileptic brain tissue.
To identify novel astrocyte-specific therapeutic targets for managing epilepsy and related conditions.

More Related Videos

In Vivo Fiber-Coupled Pre-Clinical Confocal Laser-scanning Endomicroscopy (pCLE) of Hippocampal Capillaries in Awake Mice

In Vivo Fiber-Coupled Pre-Clinical Confocal Laser-scanning Endomicroscopy (pCLE) of Hippocampal Capillaries in Awake Mice

Published on: April 21, 2023

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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

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

In Vivo Fiber-Coupled Pre-Clinical Confocal Laser-scanning Endomicroscopy (pCLE) of Hippocampal Capillaries in Awake Mice

In Vivo Fiber-Coupled Pre-Clinical Confocal Laser-scanning Endomicroscopy (pCLE) of Hippocampal Capillaries in Awake Mice

Published on: April 21, 2023

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

Main Methods:

Analysis of molecular events underlying astrocyte physiological functions.
Examination of chemical signaling pathways in astrocytes within epileptic tissue.
Assessment of astrocyte-mediated disruption of water and potassium balance in hippocampal microcircuits.

Main Results:

Reactive astrocytes exhibit enhanced chemical signaling in epileptic tissue.
Astrocytes play a role in disrupting the balance of water and potassium, impacting neuronal excitability.
Evidence suggests reactive astrocytes can both promote and inhibit seizure activity through distinct mechanisms.

Conclusions:

Astrocytes are key players in the pathophysiology of epilepsy, influencing network hyperexcitability.
Altered astrocyte function, including signaling and ion homeostasis, contributes to seizure generation.
Targeting astrocyte-specific mechanisms presents a promising avenue for developing novel anti-epileptic drugs.