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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.
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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.
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Seizures l: Introduction

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,...

Seizures: Classification

Seizures: Classification

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Focal Seizures
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Demonstration of Proteolytic Activation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) by Combining Current Measurements with Detection of Cleavage Fragments

Demonstration of Proteolytic Activation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) by Combining Current Measurements with Detection of Cleavage Fragments

Published on: July 5, 2014

Extracellular proteases in epilepsy.

Katarzyna Lukasiuk¹, Grzegorz M Wilczynski, Leszek Kaczmarek

¹Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland. k.lukasiuk@nencki.gov.pl

Epilepsy Research

|September 7, 2011

Summary

Extracellular proteolysis, involving proteases and inhibitors, is a key factor in epilepsy development. This molecular system offers promising targets for new epilepsy therapies.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Pharmacology

Background:

Epilepsy pathogenesis involves complex molecular mechanisms.
Extracellular proteolysis has emerged as a significant factor in epilepsy development.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and characterize the role of extracellular proteolysis in epilepsy.
To explore novel molecular targets for epilepsy pharmacotherapy.

Main Methods:

Analysis of seizure-evoked gene and protein expression patterns (DNA microarrays).
Functional analyses in animal models.
Expression and gene polymorphism studies in human tissue.

Main Results:

Identified a novel molecular system involving serine proteases, metalloproteinases, protease inhibitors, complement components, and reelin.

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Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

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Published on: May 16, 2019

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Last Updated: May 29, 2026

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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

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Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

Demonstrated the involvement of this system in epilepsy pathogenesis.

Highlighted the extracellular enzymes as potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

Extracellular proteolysis is a critical player in epilepsy development.
This molecular system represents a promising avenue for developing new anti-epileptic drugs.