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Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

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 Antagonists01:14

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 Potentiators01:18

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...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
ATP Synthase: Mechanism01:48

ATP Synthase: Mechanism

In animals, the mitochondrial F1F0 ATP synthase is the key protein that synthesizes ATP molecules through a complex catalytic mechanism. While the nuclear genome encodes the majority of ATP synthase subunits, the mitochondrial genome encodes some of the enzyme's most critical components. The formation of this multi-subunit enzyme is a complex multi-step process regulated at the level of transcription, translation, and assembly. Defects in one or more of these steps can result in decreased ATP...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Imaging of Intracellular ATP in Organotypic Tissue Slices of the Mouse Brain using the FRET-based Sensor ATeam1.03YEMK
11:20

Imaging of Intracellular ATP in Organotypic Tissue Slices of the Mouse Brain using the FRET-based Sensor ATeam1.03YEMK

Published on: December 19, 2019

ATP signalling in epilepsy.

Ashwin Kumaria1, Christos M Tolias, Geoffrey Burnstock

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK, kkre4869@kcl.ac.uk.

Purinergic Signalling
|June 24, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) signaling in astrocytes plays a key role in epileptic seizures. Blocking ATP-mediated gliotransmission offers a promising new target for developing antiepileptic drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular signaling
  • Epilepsy research

Background:

  • Astrocytes utilize adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for intercellular communication, forming calcium waves that propagate through the central nervous system.
  • These astrocyte-mediated calcium waves are increasingly implicated in the pathophysiology of epileptic seizures.
  • Conventional antiepileptic drugs can modulate these calcium waves, suggesting a link between glial signaling and seizure control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ATP neurotransmission and gliotransmission in the mechanisms underlying epileptic seizures.
  • To explore the potential of targeting ATP-mediated gliotransmission for novel antiepileptic drug development.
  • To examine the contribution of adenosine, derived from ATP hydrolysis, to seizure inhibition.

Main Methods:

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  • Review of recent studies on astrocyte calcium waves and their role in epilepsy.
  • Analysis of the impact of ATP signaling and adenosine on neuronal networks and seizure activity.
  • Exploration of potential therapeutic strategies targeting ATP pathways.

Main Results:

  • Astrocyte intercellular calcium waves, propagated by ATP and gap junctions, are identified as a key extraneuronal signaling pathway in seizures.
  • Blocking ATP-mediated gliotransmission emerges as a potential therapeutic target for antiepileptic drugs.
  • Adenosine, formed from ATP hydrolysis, may exert an inhibitory effect on distant synapses, potentially preventing seizures when functioning correctly.

Conclusions:

  • ATP signaling and gliotransmission are critical components in the pathophysiology of epileptic seizures.
  • Targeting ATP-mediated pathways, including adenosine signaling, presents a promising avenue for developing new antiepileptic therapies.
  • Further research into ATP signaling in synaptic plasticity and network coordination may reveal additional insights into seizure mechanisms.